Truckers accused of holding children in 'rolling prison'
Two Florida truck drivers are accused of confining four children in the sleeper cab of a semi-truck for six years, where authorities say the children were sexually abused and neglected. The allegations were detailed on Tuesday during a press conference held by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Keysha Monique Epps, 51, of Atlanta, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, of Jacksonville, are accused of sexually battering, molesting, and neglecting the children, who authorities say lived in the truck as it traveled between Atlanta and Miami. According to the investigation, the alleged abuse took place from January 2020 through April 2026.
Speaking in Kissimmee, Uthmeier described the semi-truck as a "rolling prison," saying: "These children were trapped in a rolling prison and abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them."
Details of the alleged abuse
Uthmeier said the two boys and two girls were aged between five and nine when the abuse allegedly began. He stated: "The evidence makes clear, the girls were sexually abused by Stewart."
"The boys watched it, when they would confront Stewart or report it to Epps, they would be physically abused themselves and injured," Uthmeier added.
The children were reportedly required to share a bunk and were denied food, hygiene, schooling, and medical care. Uthmeier said: "They were malnourished, they were not frequently fed, they were not cleaned, they were not given showers."
At times, when the truck stopped at a station, Stewart and Epps would use the restroom and shower, but the children would be left locked inside, according to the attorney general. Uthmeier said: "The evidence shows that the truck would, at times, hit a truck station where the adults would go to the restroom, they might take a shower, but they would leave the kids locked in this rolling dungeon."
The investigation found that two of the children suffered untreated burns that left significant scarring, and one child was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, according to reports from the press conference.
Charges and alleged admission
Epps is charged with two counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, two counts of child neglect causing permanent disfigurement, and four counts of failure to report child abuse.
Stewart faces two counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, two counts of battery of a child by expelling certain fluids or materials, two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, and two counts of child neglect causing permanent disfigurement.
It is alleged that Epps knew of the abuse and failed to stop it or report it. Stewart reportedly admitted to three sexual batteries against one of the girls. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed, according to authorities.
Uthmeier said the investigation began after investigators received a tip that led to "observations" and intervention to bring the children to safety.
Children's condition
Asked about the children's well-being since the arrests, Uthmeier said: "They are safe, I think they've got a long road to recovery."
"They are going to need a lot of help, a lot of therapy, lot of prayer," he added.