SALT LAKE CITY - A new initiative has helped Utah Highway Patrolmen rescue six children from abusive situations this week.
The Interdiction for Protection of Children initiative started earlier this year and showed some great results over the last few days.
Monday UHP troopers found three children near I-215 and I-80 on the side of the freeway and realized they may have been in an abusive situation.
The children, ages 7 to 13, told authorities they were leaving the state to go to their grandparents' home because of the alleged abuse at home.
They are now in protective custody while authorities search for their father.
The next day, UHP stopped a smoking semi truck in Moab to help with the mechanical issue.
That's when troopers found three children, age 6, 5, and 3, in the truck who appeared to be physically abused.
The children were taken into protective custody and their father, Pavel N. Prokoshev, was booked into the Grand County Jail and charged with second-degree child abuse.
Authorities said these instances are exactly how the program is supposed to work.
The IPC initiative is modeled after a similar program in Texas.
Authorities said it helps officers in the field better spot individuals who may be the victims of abuse or human trafficking and help them to better follow-up on their instincts.
