Florida prosecutors filed 22 expenses in opposition to two girls accused of abusing 4 youngsters inside a semi-truck sleeper cab. The kids remained there for greater than six years, in response to Lawyer Basic James Uthmeier. Investigators examined conduct occurring from January 2020 by means of April 2026. The case consists of accusations of sexual battery, molestation, bodily violence, neglect, and everlasting disfigurement.
Uthmeier recognized Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, as a Jacksonville resident. His workplace named Keysha Monique Epps, 51, from Atlanta, Georgia. Epps labored as a industrial truck driver whereas each girls served as main caregivers. Prosecutors filed the costs in Orange County, Florida.
The victims included two boys and two ladies. Throughout Tuesday’s reside information convention, Uthmeier recognized two 5-year-olds, one 6-year-old, and one 9-year-old. The Lawyer Basic’s written launch didn’t embrace their ages. Uthmeier known as the case among the many most horrific his crew had dealt with.
Epps frequently drove industrial routes between Atlanta and Miami. These journeys included stops all through Florida, together with Orlando. “They would depart the children locked on this rolling dungeon,” Uthmeier said in the course of the reside convention. Investigators accuse each girls of preserving the youngsters inside whereas remaining virtually constantly on the highway.
Six years inside one sleeper cab
All 4 youngsters shared a single bunk contained in the truck. Investigators reported insufficient meals, hygiene, education, and medical care. Throughout the reside convention, Uthmeier described the victims as malnourished. He added that they lacked common meals, cleansing, and showers.
Tuesday’s information convention offered additional particulars about rest room entry. Officers reported that the youngsters used cups and paper baggage as bathrooms. The Lawyer Basic’s written launch didn’t include that info. Authorities linked these circumstances to the extended confinement inside Epps’ truck.
Two youngsters suffered untreated burns that left important scars. Authorities offered no clarification about how these accidents occurred. One baby obtained a sexually transmitted an infection prognosis after leaving the ladies’s custody. Officers haven’t launched additional details about that sufferer’s medical situation.
Two ladies disclosed years of sexual abuse involving Stewart. Each boys reported witnessing that conduct contained in the truck. In addition they described beatings after confronting Stewart and notifying Epps. Investigators accuse Epps of realizing concerning the abuse with out stopping it.
Florida regulation requires folks to report suspected baby abuse below sure circumstances. Prosecutors declare Epps failed to satisfy that obligation. Stewart admitted three sexual batteries in opposition to one woman throughout a post-Miranda interview. Her admissions included an offense that occurred in Orlando.
Throughout Tuesday’s convention, Uthmeier reported that ideas led authorities towards the case. He positioned the investigation’s starting roughly three to 4 weeks earlier. Officers haven’t recognized who offered that info. Authorities additionally withheld how investigators situated the truck or eliminated the youngsters.
Prosecutors define 22 felony expenses
Stewart faces 10 felony counts. Two cost sexual battery by somebody holding familial or custodial authority. One other pair accuses her of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a baby youthful than 12. Two extra counts concern battery by means of expelling sure fluids or supplies.
4 neglect expenses full Stewart’s case. Two contain baby neglect with out nice bodily hurt. The remaining pair issues everlasting disfigurement. Prosecutors linked these accusations to the youngsters’s accidents and residing circumstances.
Epps faces 12 felony counts. Two cost sexual battery by somebody holding familial or custodial authority. One other pair accuses her of lewd or lascivious molestation involving a baby youthful than 12. 4 neglect expenses handle bodily hurt and everlasting disfigurement.
Prosecutors additionally charged Epps with 4 failures to report baby abuse. Investigators contend she knew about Stewart’s actions. Authorities declare Epps neither intervened nor contacted regulation enforcement. Florida prosecutors included these omissions inside the Orange County submitting.
“These youngsters had been trapped in a rolling jail,” Uthmeier said inside the written announcement. He pledged to pursue the utmost punishment obtainable below Florida regulation. Throughout Tuesday’s convention, Uthmeier introduced plans to hunt the dying penalty if legally permitted. “Florida has zero tolerance for anybody who preys on youngsters,” he added.
Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass known as youngsters “our biggest hopes” and “our most sacred duty.” Glass promised accountability for anybody harming a baby inside Florida. Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon known as defending youngsters nonnegotiable. He urged anybody noticing hazard to contact regulation enforcement instantly.
Investigation stays open
Particular Counsels Rita Peters, Stephanie Bergen, and Beth Shelley will deal with the prosecution. The case will proceed inside Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit. Authorities proceed investigating and should file extra expenses. Officers haven’t introduced the following scheduled listening to date.
The kids now obtain bodily and emotional remedy, in response to Tuesday’s reside convention. Uthmeier warned that their restoration might take appreciable time. Authorities haven’t disclosed their current location or particular circumstances. Officers additionally withheld details about their relationships to Stewart or Epps.
Why It Issues
Transportation professionals ought to acknowledge how industrial tools can conceal felony conduct throughout a number of jurisdictions. Cautious commentary and quick reporting might assist authorities establish endangered passengers sooner.
Click on right here for extra articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Editor.
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