Two Women Charged in Four-Child Truck Abuse Case

Florida authorities say Tamra Marshon Stewart and Keysha Monique Epps kept four children captive in the sleeper cab of a semi-truck for more than six years, during which the children were sexually abused, neglected, and deprived of food, hygiene, schooling and medical care. The victims—two girls and two boys aged five to nine when abuse began—shared a single bunk, were often locked in the cab, and faced violence when confronted about the abuse. The girls disclosed years of sexual abuse by Stewart, while the boys witnessed it and were retaliated against; Epps allegedly knew of the abuse but did not stop it or report it. Investigators described the truck as a rolling prison, with some children suffering untreated burns and at least one later diagnosed with an infection after leaving the custody of the pair. Stewart admitted to three sexual batteries against one girl, and prosecutors say they will pursue the maximum penalties, including possible death-penalty considerations under Florida law. The case has drawn widespread condemnation as authorities pledge zero tolerance for crimes against children and ongoing charges may be expanded as the investigation continues.