Central California transients found with dead body in SUV

MORRO BAY - Two California transients traveling with their teen daughter were arrested after a decomposing body was found in their SUV, authorities said.

Deputies detected a strong odor as they checked out the vehicle parked the wrong way on a street in the beach town of Cayucos, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.

"Sheriff's detectives determined the couple was in the process of transporting a dead body in the back of their SUV. The reason for that has yet to be determined," sheriff's spokesman Tony Cipolla said in a statement.

Darwin Keith Alaskari, 59, and Sherrie Lynn Boggess, 50, were arrested Tuesday on felony child endangerment and misdemeanor warrants. It was not immediately known if they have attorneys.

Their 13-year-old daughter was turned over to child welfare services.

Officials did not identify the dead person but said the suspects were believed to be longtime acquaintances of the person.

An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing.