Child neglect charges against a Florida couple follow allegations involving four children confined inside a tractor-trailer for years.
Keisha Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, face four counts of child neglect, according to court records. Investigators allege the children spent most of their days inside the truck’s cab beginning around December 2019.
Epps worked as a truck driver and reportedly traveled regularly between Miami and Atlanta. Meanwhile, Stewart allegedly remained responsible for supervising the children while Epps worked, slept or handled other activities.
According to investigators, the children lacked regular opportunities to attend school, exercise outdoors, shower and use restroom facilities. Furthermore, records indicate they did not receive routine medical or dental treatment during their prolonged confinement.
The children reportedly told investigators they had not attended school for approximately five years. Consequently, authorities raised concerns about their education, development and overall wellbeing.
Investigators also described serious physical effects that allegedly resulted from prolonged confinement inside the vehicle. One detective reportedly observed that the children appeared to walk unusually after spending extensive periods inside the cramped cab.
Additionally, authorities alleged that the children received inadequate food and lacked necessary healthcare. Court records describe circumstances involving injuries that allegedly went untreated despite requiring medical attention.
One child reportedly told investigators about suffering a severe burn from cooked noodles. According to the records, the injury caused significant bleeding and eventually left a permanent scar.
The child allegedly said neither adult sought medical treatment after the incident. Moreover, investigators reported that the children generally lacked access to medical and dental services, including during emergencies.
Court records also contain allegations involving abuse inside the truck. Authorities said one child described witnessing sexual abuse and subsequently confronting Stewart about the alleged conduct.
The records further allege that Stewart responded violently, including accusations that he punched children in their heads. Investigators also said the children reported telling Epps about the alleged abuse.
According to the investigation, Epps allegedly continued leaving the children alone with Stewart despite their reported concerns. Authorities also discovered that one child reportedly had an untreated sexually transmitted infection.
The children allegedly shared a single bunk inside the tractor-trailer cab. Because the sleeping space remained extremely limited, investigators said all four had to sleep curled together.
Authorities arrested Epps and Stewart on August 6, according to records filed with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors subsequently charged each adult with four third-degree felony counts involving alleged neglect.
Under Florida law, each child neglect count can carry substantial penalties following conviction. The potential sentence includes imprisonment, probation and financial penalties, depending on the circumstances and court outcome.
Investigators described the alleged conduct as a prolonged failure to provide essential care. Such care includes adequate food, shelter, supervision, medicine and medical services necessary for children’s physical wellbeing.
The case could also lead to additional charges against Stewart involving allegations of sexual abuse. Court documents indicate prosecutors intend to pursue capital sexual battery charges through Florida’s statewide prosecution system.
Florida law provides severe penalties for convictions involving sexual battery against children under twelve. Depending on the circumstances, those penalties can include life imprisonment without parole or potentially the death penalty.
Authorities have withheld identifying information about the children from publicly available records. Their ages, sexes and relationships to one another remain redacted in the documents.
Both defendants remain in Duval County Jail while awaiting further proceedings in the case. Epps faces a bond exceeding $400,000, while Stewart remains detained without bond.
Child neglect allegations remain accusations unless prosecutors establish the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The case will therefore proceed through the courts as authorities continue addressing the allegations.
Child neglect remains the central issue in the prosecution as investigators examine years of alleged deprivation. Meanwhile, the children’s identities remain protected while authorities and prosecutors pursue the next stages.
