Couple Sexually Abused Children Confined To Semi-Truck: FL Attorney General

ORANGE COUNTY, FL — A couple is facing felony charges after four children allegedly spent more than six years confined inside the sleeper cab of a semi-truck, where they were sexually abused, beaten, and denied basic care, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said.

Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, of Jacksonville, and Keysha Monique Epps, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, were charged in Orange County in connection with the alleged abuse, according to a Tuesday news release from Uthmeier’s office.

The children — two girls and two boys — lived with Stewart and Epps from January 2020 through April 2026 while Epps worked as a commercial truck driver running routes between Atlanta and Miami, with stops throughout Florida, including Orlando.

The children were forced to share a single bunk, and were denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling and medical care, the attorney general’s office said.

Two children suffered untreated burns that resulted in significant scarring, and one child was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection after leaving their custody, the news release said.

The two girls told investigators that Stewart sexually abused them for years, while the boys reported witnessing the abuse and being beaten after confronting him and telling Epps, authorities said. Epps allegedly knew about the abuse but failed to stop it or report it.

During a post-Miranda interview, Stewart admitted to three sexual batteries involving one of the girls, including one that occurred in Orlando, Uthmeier’s office said.

Stewart faces 10 charges, including sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, battery of a child, and child neglect.

Epps faces 12 charges, including sexual battery, lewd or lascivious molestation, child neglect, and four counts of failing to report child abuse.

“These children were trapped in a rolling prison and abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “Florida has zero tolerance for anyone who preys on children. We will seek the maximum punishment under the law.”

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

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