A Florida couple is facing charges of child neglect after reportedly keeping four children confined in the cab of a tractor-trailer for nearly six years. Arrest records indicate that during this period, the children lacked time for showers, restroom breaks, or outdoor exercise.
According to a report, Keisha Epps, 51, and her fiancé, Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, lived in the cab with the children while Epps worked as a truck driver on a route between Miami and Atlanta. Since December 2019, the children were mostly kept inside the vehicle, as stated in court documents.
The children did not attend school for approximately five years, as revealed during interviews at a child advocacy center. They were described as walking with an unnatural gait due to confinement. The report further shows they were poorly fed and denied medical or dental care, even in emergencies.
One child recounted an incident where she severely burned herself with cooked noodles, resulting in significant bleeding. Reports indicate that neither Epps nor Stewart sought medical treatment for her, leaving the child with a permanent scar.
“There was a lot of blood.”
The children shared a small bunk in the tractor-trailer cab, sleeping cramped side by side. Stewart allegedly watched the children while Epps was asleep, showering, or driving. Witnessing sexual abuse, the children reported being beaten by Stewart when they confronted him. Epps was informed of the abuse but continued to leave them alone with Stewart, calling them derogatory names.
One child was found to have an untreated sexually transmitted infection. Stewart is facing potential capital sexual battery charges, as the Statewide Prosecutor intends to file charges in Florida’s 9th Judicial District. Under Florida law, a conviction for sexual battery of a child under 12 years can lead to life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty.
Epps and Stewart were arrested on August 6, 2026, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and charged with four counts of child neglect, one for each child. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to five years imprisonment, five years probation, and a fine of up to $5,000. The charges are based on their failure to provide necessary care, supervision, and services such as food, nutrition, and medical services.
The arrest report from Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and court documents are heavily redacted, omitting details about the children’s sexes, ages, and their relationships to Epps and Stewart. Epps is held in Duval County Jail on a bond set at $400,012, while Stewart is held without bond as they await trial.