A Florida couple has been charged with child neglect after authorities allege they confined four children in the cab of a tractor-trailer for nearly seven years, according to arrest records and court documents.
Keisha Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, were arrested following an investigation that revealed the children were kept inside the vehicle for the majority of their days since December 2019, with limited access to basic needs.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
Florida authorities filed child neglect charges against Epps and Stewart after an investigation determined the children were subjected to prolonged confinement and inadequate care. The children, who were not permitted to attend school for approximately five years, were reportedly kept in the tractor-trailer cab while Epps worked as a truck driver on routes between Miami and Atlanta.
Investigators allege severe neglect, including the children being fed poorly, denied medical and dental care, and confined to a space so small they had to sleep curled up side by side on a shared bunk. One child reported suffering a severe burn from cooked noodles, resulting in a permanent scar, but neither Epps nor Stewart sought medical treatment for the injury.
Deeper Dive & Context
Conditions of Confinement
According to court records, the children were restricted to the tractor-trailer cab for most of their days, with limited opportunities for hygiene, exercise, or outdoor time. A detective noted the children exhibited an "unnatural gait" from prolonged confinement. The children also reported witnessing sexual abuse within the home environment, which they disclosed to Epps and Stewart. When confronted, Stewart allegedly responded by physically assaulting the children, including punching them in the head.
Legal and Investigative Response
The case was referred to a child advocacy center, where the children provided detailed accounts of their living conditions and treatment. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the alleged victim of sexual abuse. The children remain in state custody pending further legal proceedings.
Background on the Accused
Epps and Stewart have been living in the tractor-trailer cab with the children, with Stewart reportedly taking responsibility for their care when Epps was working, sleeping, or showering. The duration of the alleged confinement spans from at least December 2019 to the present, though the exact start date has not been publicly confirmed.
Key Developments
- Charges filed: Four counts of child neglect against Epps and Stewart.
- Duration of confinement: Nearly seven years, with children kept primarily inside the tractor-trailer cab.
- Alleged abuse: Reports of physical assault, sexual abuse witnessed by the children, and failure to provide medical care.
- Living conditions: Children shared a confined space, lacked access to school, and suffered from poor nutrition and hygiene.