Authorities say four children were confined in a truck sleeper cab, denied basic care and subjected to years of abuse.
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Two women face multiple charges after Florida authorities said four children were confined for more than six years in the sleeper cab of a commercial semi-truck and subjected to neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse while traveling between Florida and Georgia.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the charges Tuesday against Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, of Jacksonville, and Keysha Monique Epps, 51, of Atlanta. Authorities said Epps, a commercial truck driver, and Stewart were the children’s primary caregivers from about January 2020 through April 2026. The truck regularly traveled between Atlanta and Miami, with stops in Florida that included Orlando. The investigation involves the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the attorney general’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Uthmeier described the truck as a “rolling prison” during a news conference outlining the allegations. Investigators said the four children, two boys and two girls, were ages 5, 5, 6 and 9 when the alleged mistreatment began. Authorities said the children spent most of their time inside the truck’s sleeper cab, where all four shared a single bunk. They were rarely allowed outside and were denied adequate food, regular hygiene, schooling and medical and dental care, according to investigators and previously filed arrest records.
The allegations first became public after Epps and Stewart were arrested in Jacksonville in early August on child neglect charges. Arrest records said the children had lived primarily in the truck since December 2019. Interviews conducted at a child advocacy center indicated that they had not attended school for about five years and had gone without routine or emergency medical care. Investigators also reported that the prolonged confinement appeared to have affected the way the children walked.
Authorities said two of the children suffered burns that went untreated and left significant scarring. Earlier court records described one child suffering a serious burn from hot food without receiving medical attention. Investigators also said one child was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection after leaving the women’s custody. The identities of the children have not been publicly released, and officials have limited details that could identify them because they are minors and alleged victims of abuse.
Investigators said the two girls reported that Stewart sexually abused them over a period of years. The two boys told investigators they witnessed abuse and were beaten after confronting Stewart and reporting what they had seen to Epps, according to authorities. Prosecutors allege Epps knew about abuse but failed to stop or report it. The allegations have not been proven in court, and both defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Stewart acknowledged three sexual batteries against one of the girls during an interview conducted after she was advised of her rights. Authorities said one of those alleged incidents occurred in Orlando, giving statewide prosecutors jurisdiction over portions of the case. Officials have not publicly released a complete account of the evidence gathered during the continuing investigation.
Stewart now faces 10 charges, according to authorities. They include 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 involving battery of a child, two counts of child neglect with bodily harm and two counts of child neglect causing permanent disfigurement. Epps faces 12 charges that include sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, lewd or lascivious molestation, child neglect and failure to report child abuse, authorities said.
Uthmeier said his office intends to seek the strongest punishment allowed by law in cases involving sexual abuse of children. Florida has expanded the potential use of the death penalty for certain sexual battery offenses against young children, though any punishment in this case would depend on the specific charges, convictions and subsequent court proceedings. No defendant has been convicted in connection with the allegations announced Tuesday.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the allegations involved a violation of the safety and trust children should receive from caregivers. Officials said investigators are continuing to examine the case and that additional charges remain possible. Special counsels Rita Peters, Stephanie Bergen and Beth Shelley are expected to prosecute the case in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Author note: Last updated September 1, 2026.