KISSIMMEE, FL. (THECOUNT) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Keisha Monique Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, who are accused of confining and abusing four children inside the cab of a tractor-trailer for more than six years.
Epps and Stewart, who are engaged, were arrested Aug. 6 and face multiple charges involving sexual battery, molestation and child neglect. The children included two boys and two girls, ranging in age from 5 to 9 years old.
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According to investigators, the children lived with the couple inside the sleeper cab of Epps’ commercial truck as she traveled routes between Atlanta and Miami, with stops throughout Florida, including the Orlando area.
Authorities allege the children were confined inside the truck from approximately January 2020 through April 2026. Investigators said the children were denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling, medical care and exercise.
Uthmeier described the truck as a “rolling prison” and said the children were abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them.
Under Florida law, an adult convicted of sexual battery against a child younger than 12 can be eligible for the death penalty. Uthmeier said his office will pursue the maximum punishment in the case.
Investigators allege Stewart sexually abused the two girls for years. The two boys reportedly witnessed the abuse and confronted Stewart. Authorities said Stewart then punched the boys in their heads after they raised concerns about what they had seen.
Stewart allegedly admitted to investigators that he committed three acts of sexual battery against one of the girls, including an offense that reportedly occurred in Orlando.
Authorities also allege that Epps knew about the abuse, failed to stop it and failed to report it as required by Florida law.
Beyond the alleged sexual abuse, investigators said the children were not allowed regular access to showers, restrooms or outdoor exercise. Uthmeier said the children were forced to relieve themselves in cups and paper bags while confined inside the truck.
When the adults stopped to use restrooms or take showers, the children allegedly remained locked inside the truck cab.
Investigators said the children suffered severe physical infirmities as a result of their confinement and neglect. A detective reportedly observed that the children were walking with an unnatural gait after spending years inside the cab.
The children had not attended school for approximately five years, according to investigative reports. Authorities also alleged they received inadequate food and little or no medical or dental care, including treatment for injuries.
Two of the children allegedly suffered untreated burns that left significant scarring. One girl reportedly told investigators that she badly burned herself with cooked noodles, but neither adult took her for medical treatment. Authorities said she was left with a permanent scar.
Investigators also said one of the children was later diagnosed with an untreated sexually transmitted infection.
Stewart is charged with two counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, two counts of battery of a child by expelling certain fluids or materials, two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm and two counts of child neglect causing permanent disfigurement.
Epps is charged with two counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, two counts of child neglect causing permanent disfigurement and four counts of failure to report child abuse.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities said additional charges may be filed. The case is being prosecuted by special counsels in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
The allegations against Epps and Stewart have not been proven in court. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Kissimmee is located in Osceola County in Central Florida, south of Orlando and within the greater Orlando metropolitan area. The alleged abuse involved a tractor-trailer traveling through Florida between the Atlanta and Miami areas.
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