Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges Tuesday against two caregivers accused of sexually abusing, physically abusing and neglecting four children who authorities say were confined in the sleeper cab of a semi-truck for more than six years.

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

According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, of Jacksonville, and Keysha Monique Epps, 51, of Atlanta, Georgia, have been charged in Orange County in connection with the case.

SIX YEARS IN A SEMI-TRUCK SLEEPER CAB

Investigators say Epps, a commercial truck driver, and Stewart served as the four children’s primary caregivers from January 2020 through April 2026.

During that period, authorities allege the children lived with the pair in the sleeper cab of Epps’ semi-truck as she drove routes between Atlanta and Miami, making stops throughout Florida, including Orlando.

The children were allegedly forced to share a single bunk and were denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling and medical care.

Authorities say two of the children suffered untreated burns that resulted in significant scarring. After the children left the defendants’ custody, one was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection.

ALLEGATIONS OF YEARS OF SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE

According to investigators, the two girls disclosed years of sexual abuse by Stewart.

The two boys told investigators they witnessed the alleged abuse and were beaten after confronting Stewart and telling Epps, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Prosecutors allege Epps knew about the abuse but failed to stop it or report it as required by Florida law.

The Attorney General’s Office also says Stewart admitted during a post-Miranda interview to committing three sexual batteries against one of the girls, including an alleged offense in Orlando.

THE CHARGES

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 allegations are charges and have not been proven in court.

INVESTIGATION REMAINS OPEN

The Attorney General’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

The case will be prosecuted by Special Counsels Rita Peters, Stephanie Bergen and Beth Shelley in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Uthmeier described the case as one of the most horrific his team has handled and said Florida will seek the maximum punishment allowed by law.

Anyone who knows or suspects that a child is being abused, neglected or abandoned can contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Anyone who believes a child is in immediate danger should call 911.

IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.