A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.

The child was taken into custody as a Child in Need of Care and the suspects, Brandon Dannebohm and Tonya Cope, remain at large, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.

Deputies went to a rural residence at 40 NE 20 Road around 10:50 p.m. Monday. Bellendir said they were just giving another man a ride home, but when the patrol car pulled into the driveway they saw a man get out of a parked truck and run. Officers learned that a woman also fled from the truck. The child and handgun were left in the truck.

More law enforcement officers were called in, including someone from juvenile services, Kansas Highway Patrol, Great Bend Police and more BCSO personnel. A substance found in the truck will be sent to a lab for testing.

The suspects remain at large but were identified as Barton County residents Dannebohm and Cope. They are now wanted on suspicion of aggravated child endangerment.

Both already had outstanding warrants, Bellendir said, which may be why they fled. Cope is wanted for felony contempt of court for violating the conditions of her bond stemming from a drug investigation last year. Dannebohm has several municipal warrants from Ellinwood, Great Bend and Stafford County.

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“Dannebohm is known to carry a firearm and should be considered armed and dangerous,” Bellendir said. “If you have any information regarding the location of either of these two individuals you are asked to contact you local law enforcement or Crime Stoppers of Great Bend and Barton County at 620-793-1300.