ATLANTA — An Atlanta woman and a Jacksonville woman are facing charges after authorities say four children were confined in a tractor-trailer for several years and subjected to abuse.
“These children were trapped in a rolling prison and abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them,” Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.
The children were ages 5, 5, 6 and 9 when they were placed in the women’s care, according to investigators.
Authorities say the children lived inside the truck’s sleeper cab from January 2020 through April 2026 while 51-year-old Keysha Monique Epps of Atlanta worked as a commercial truck driver traveling between Atlanta and Miami.
Uthmeier said the children were forced to share a single bunk and were denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling and medical care.
Investigators also say two of the children suffered untreated burns that caused significant scarring. Another child was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection after leaving the women’s custody.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office says two girls reported that 37-year-old Tamra Marshon Stewart sexually abused them over several years.
Investigators say two boys witnessed the abuse and were beaten after confronting Stewart and telling Epps about it. Authorities say Epps knew about the alleged abuse but failed to report it.
The Attorney General’s Office says Stewart later admitted to sexually battering one of the girls three times.
“Florida has zero tolerance for anyone who preys on children,” Uthmeier said. “We will seek the maximum punishment under the law.”
“If you harm a child in the state of Florida, we will find you, and we will ensure you are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said.
Stewart and Epps each face multiple charges, including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation and child neglect. Epps also faces charges related to allegedly failing to report child abuse.
The investigation remains ongoing, according to authorities.