A Florida truck driver and her fiancé are facing multiple felony charges after investigators alleged four children spent years living inside the cab of a tractor-trailer with little access to school, medical care, exercise or basic daily routines.
Authorities say the living arrangement stretched back to late 2019 and continued while the truck was being operated between Florida and Georgia.
Keisha Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, have each been charged with four counts of child neglect, one for each child.
According to arrest and court records, the children told investigators they spent most of their time inside the truck and had not regularly attended school for approximately five years.
The allegations describe far more than an unconventional living arrangement.
Investigators say the children reported being given little opportunity to leave the cab, shower, use a restroom normally or exercise outside. They also described poor nutrition and a lack of medical and dental care.
One child allegedly suffered a serious burn involving cooked noodles and was not taken for treatment. Court records indicate the injury later left a permanent scar.
Authorities also described the physical effects of the alleged confinement. A detective reportedly observed that the children walked with an unusual gait, which investigators linked to the amount of time they had spent inside the cab.
Sleeping conditions were also extremely cramped.
All four children were reportedly sharing a single truck bunk and had to sleep curled beside one another because there was not enough room for them to lie normally.
The case became substantially more serious after investigators began looking into allegations of physical and sexual abuse involving Stewart.
Court records allege the children said Stewart watched them at times while Epps was sleeping, showering or driving. Investigators say the children later reported witnessing sexual abuse and being struck in the head after confronting Stewart.
The records also allege the children told Epps about the abuse and said she continued leaving them alone with Stewart.
One child was reportedly found with an untreated sexually transmitted infection.
Prosecutors are also expected to pursue additional sexual-battery charges against Stewart, according to court records cited in the case.
Those allegations remain separate from the child-neglect counts and have not been proven in court.
Epps worked as a truck driver on a route between Miami and Atlanta, according to court documents, and authorities say the children lived in the truck with the couple during that period.
Each child-neglect charge is a third-degree felony under Florida law. A conviction can carry up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000 per count.
Investigators allege the conduct amounted to a willful failure to provide the children with basic care, supervision, nutrition, medical attention and other necessities.
The identities, ages and exact relationships of the children have been withheld from public records.
Epps and Stewart were being held in the Duval County Jail as the case moved forward. Epps was given a bond of $400,012, while Stewart was being held without bond.
The allegations remain pending in court, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
