Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office will pursue the death penalty for two adults accused of confining four children in a tractor-trailer and subjecting them to sexual abuse for several years. The adults, Keisha Monique Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, face charges of sexual battery, molestation, and neglect involving two boys and two girls, aged 5 to 9.
Epps, employed as a truck driver, frequently traveled a route from Miami to Atlanta. She and her fiancé, Stewart, allegedly lived in the truck’s cab with the children for over six years. On August 6, authorities arrested them, and they remain jailed pending their trial on child neglect charges.
“These children were trapped in a rolling prison and abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them,” said Uthmeier. “We will seek executions for those who abuse and violate children in Florida.”
Florida law permits the death penalty for sexual battery against children under 12. Uthmeier stated that Stewart sexually abused the two girls over multiple years. When two boys witnessed the abuse and confronted him, he allegedly assaulted them. Reports indicate the children informed Epps about the abuse, which she reportedly witnessed but took no action to stop.
Authorities found one child with an untreated sexually transmitted infection. The children allegedly endured confinement without access to showers, restrooms, or outdoor exercise. Reports detail they used cups and bags for bathroom purposes while the adults used public restrooms during stops.
“This case is one of, if not the most, horrific that my team has ever had to work on,” Uthmeier stated at a news conference in Kissimmee, Florida.
The children did not attend school for about five years, according to arrest records. They reportedly suffered from inadequate nutrition and received no medical or dental care, even for emergencies. Two children had untreated burns, including a girl with a noodle burn that left a permanent scar.
Stewart, the children’s supervisor while Epps drove, faces multiple charges including sexual battery, lewd molestation, and neglect. Epps is charged with sexual battery, molestation, neglect, and failing to report abuse.
Epps and Stewart, arrested on August 6, are in the Duval County Jail. Stewart is represented by the Duval County Office of the Public Defender, and Epps by Florida’s Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Neither office commented on the case.