The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two adults after deputies found two children in a U-Haul van, with drugs and prescription pills inside.
On November 7, 2026, at 7:35 a.m., deputies responded to a gas station in the 6300 block of North Dale Mabry Highway after a 911 caller reported two unresponsive people inside a U-Haul van.
When deputies arrived, they found Vilmarie Acosta Diaz, 46, slumped in the passenger seat. Her two children were unsecured in the back of the van.
As deputies approached the driver’s side, the van began to roll forward.
Deputies got the attention of the driver, Arian Hernandez Hernandez, 44, and ordered him to stop and step out of the vehicle.
Deputies observed that Hernandez had red, glossy eyes and was unsteady on his feet. He was arrested.
Deputies then asked Acosta Diaz, who appeared disoriented, to exit the van. As she got out, deputies found narcotics on the passenger seat. She was also arrested.
Through the investigation, deputies discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and several prescription pills, including alprazolam, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, and methocarbamol, inside the vehicle.
The methocarbamol, a muscle relaxant, was found unsecured and within reach of the children.
Deputies also determined the vehicle had no child safety seats and that the family appeared to have been living in it.
A family member responded to the scene and took custody of the two children.
There is no excuse for this,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Two children, no car seats, drugs within arm’s reach, and an impaired driver behind the wheel. These kids deserved better.”
Vilmarie Acosta Diaz has been charged with:
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of Controlled Substance (x2)
- Child Abuse (x2)
- Possession of Drug Without Prescription (x2)
Arian Hernandez Hernandez has been charged with:
- Driving Under the Influence
