Florida Pair Charged With Child Neglect After Confining Four Children in Truck Cab for Six Years

Two Florida residents have been arrested and charged with child neglect following an investigation into allegations that they confined four children inside a tractor-trailer cab for approximately six years. Keisha Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, were taken into custody by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on August 6, 2026, according to court filings. The pair allegedly denied the children basic necessities including bathing facilities, bathroom access, and outdoor activity while living in the vehicle’s cab.

During interviews at a child advocacy center, the children disclosed they had been prevented from attending school for roughly five years and were kept confined to the cab for the majority of each day since December 2019. Investigators documented that the children exhibited an abnormal gait resulting from prolonged confinement and suffered from malnutrition. Neither adult provided the children with medical or dental care, even in emergency situations, according to the arrest report.

One child reported sustaining a severe burn from hot noodles that left a permanent scar after receiving no medical treatment. Another child was discovered to have an untreated sexually transmitted infection. All four children shared a single bunk so cramped they were forced to lie curled against one another to fit inside the space.

Court documents allege that Stewart engaged in sexual abuse of at least one child and responded violently when the children confronted him about his conduct, striking them in the head with his fists. When the children reported the abuse to Epps, she allegedly witnessed the misconduct herself, subjected the child to derogatory language, and deliberately left them alone with Stewart repeatedly. Epps worked as a truck driver operating routes between Miami and Atlanta during this period.

Both defendants face four counts of third-degree child neglect, one for each child. Each felony count carries penalties of up to five years imprisonment, five years probation, and fines up to $5,000. The state prosecutor’s office plans to file capital sexual battery charges against Stewart in the 9th Judicial District, a charge that can result in either a death sentence or life imprisonment without parole for sexual battery of children under 12 years old under Florida statute.

Epps is being held in the Duval County Jail with bond set at $400,012, while Stewart remains incarcerated without bond pending trial. Court records have redacted all identifying information regarding the children, including their ages, genders, and relationships to the defendants.