Florida Couple Charged Over Seven-Year Child Confinement in Truck

Court documents have revealed that a woman from Florida and her fiancé are facing accusations of holding four children captive for an extended period, approximately seven years, within the cab of a tractor-trailer. The children allegedly suffered from a severe lack of adequate education, medical attention, and basic hygiene.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported the arrest of Keisha Monique Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, during the first week of August 2026. Both individuals have been charged with four counts of child neglect. According to authorities, the couple had reportedly been residing in the truck with the children since December 2019.

"All of the victims disclosed that they have not been allowed to attend school for approximately five years and had not seen a doctor or dentist for urgent or preventive care," a detective stated. Furthermore, one child, who was allegedly s3xually assaulted by Stewart, was found to have an untreated s*xually transmitted infection (STI) that "caused a fish smell," as detailed in the court document. This STI was diagnosed in May during a medical examination conducted by the Child Protection Team, authorities confirmed.

Documents also indicated that the children had informed Epps about the alleged abuse, but "she did nothing to stop it" and instead "blamed them for Stewart's behavior." When the children confronted Stewart, he allegedly responded by "punching them in their heads," according to the records. The report suggests that a prosecutor intends to file capital s3xual battery charges against Stewart.

The children reportedly spent the majority of their days confined inside the truck's cab. They allegedly shared a bed that was too small for them to lie flat. Investigators stated that the children were rarely permitted to exit the cab, even for bathroom use. The report also claimed that the children were poorly fed and denied opportunities for showering or exercise. Authorities noted that Stewart supervised the children while Epps drove the truck.

The relationship between the children and the suspects has not yet been publicly disclosed. Epps' bond has been set at $100,000 for each count, totaling $400,000. She has been ordered to wear a GPS monitor and is prohibited from contacting minors, victims, witnesses, or co-defendants. Epps is scheduled to appear in court on September 3, while Stewart remains in custody without bond.