Two adults are facing a long list of felony charges after authorities say four children were essentially trapped inside a tractor-trailer for more than six years, allegedly suffering neglect, abuse and a lack of basic necessities along the way.
Florida officials announced the arrests of 51-year-old Keisha Monique Epps and 37-year-old Tamra Marshon Stewart, who authorities say kept the four children — two boys and two girls — confined inside the sleeper cab of a commercial truck as it traveled between Florida, Georgia and other locations.
According to investigators, the children were between 5 and 9 years old when the alleged abuse began. Authorities say the children spent most of their time inside the truck and were rarely allowed outside.
The situation allegedly went on from around December 2019 or January 2020 through April 2026.
And investigators say the conditions inside that truck were disturbing.
The children allegedly shared a single bunk that was too small for them to properly lie down. Authorities say they were deprived of adequate food, showers, exercise, schooling and regular medical and dental care.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier described the truck as a “rolling prison,” saying the adults would sometimes stop at truck stations to use the restroom or shower while allegedly leaving the children locked inside.
Authorities also say the children suffered physical injuries during the years they were allegedly confined.
Investigators reportedly discovered that two of the children had untreated burns that resulted in significant scarring. One child allegedly suffered a serious burn from cooked noodles and did not receive medical treatment at the time, leaving a permanent scar.
The allegations go far beyond neglect.
Authorities say the two girls disclosed that Stewart sexually abused them. Investigators also allege that the two boys witnessed the abuse and were physically assaulted when they confronted Stewart or reported what was happening to Epps.
Court documents reportedly state that the children told Epps about the alleged abuse, but investigators say she failed to intervene and instead blamed the children for Stewart’s behavior.
Another child was reportedly found to have an untreated sexually transmitted infection after being removed from the situation and receiving medical care.
Authorities say the children were eventually rescued after investigators received information that prompted an investigation. Officials say the children are now safe but face what could be a lengthy road to recovery.
Epps and Stewart are both facing multiple felony charges.
Stewart faces charges including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, battery of a child and child neglect charges involving permanent disfigurement, according to authorities.
Epps is also facing multiple charges, including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, child neglect and several counts related to allegedly failing to report child abuse.
Officials have stressed that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be filed.
The case has drawn major attention because of the length of time authorities say the children were allegedly kept inside the truck and the number of alleged abuses investigators uncovered.
For years, the children were allegedly moving from place to place inside a vehicle that authorities now describe as a “rolling prison.”
Now, investigators are working to piece together exactly what happened during those years and determine whether anyone else could have known about the alleged abuse.
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