Florida AG Charges Couple for Years of Abuse in Semi-Truck Cab
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced charges against Keisha Epps and Tamra Stewart for confining four children in a semi-truck cab for six years. The children, aged five to nine, suffered sexual abuse, physical beatings, and severe neglect, including untreated burns and a sexually transmitted infection. Authorities described the situation as a 'rolling prison' or 'dungeon,' with the suspects arrested in August 2026 after a tipster reported the case.
Key points
- Keisha Epps, 51, and Tamra Stewart, 37, were arrested in Jacksonville on August 7, 2026, and charged with multiple counts of sexual battery, molestation, and child neglect.
- The four victims, two boys and two girls aged five to nine, lived in the sleeper cab of Epps' commercial truck from late 2019 to April 2026, traveling between Florida and Georgia.
- Stewart admitted to sexually battering one girl on three occasions; the boys were beaten for reporting the abuse, while Epps allegedly witnessed the acts and blamed the children.
- Medical exams revealed untreated burns from hot noodles and a sexually transmitted infection; the children were denied schooling, adequate food, and hygiene, often using cups for bathroom needs.
- Uthmeier stated the state may seek the death penalty if permitted by law, with trials set for Orange County under the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Background
This case emerged after a tipster reported the couple to authorities in July 2026. Earlier coverage in August 2026 noted initial charges for neglect, with additional sexual battery counts added later. The children had not attended accredited school since November 2020. The abuse occurred while Epps worked as a truck driver, with the family rarely leaving the cab even for basic needs.
How outlets are covering it
USA TODAY reported the children lived in the cab since December 2019, while WESH and the Orlando Sentinel cited a six-year duration starting in January 2020. USA TODAY emphasized the cramped bunk conditions, whereas the Orlando Sentinel highlighted the 'rolling dungeon' description and the lack of court filings as of September 2026. WESH detailed the specific charges, including battery by expelling fluids, which USA TODAY summarized more broadly. All outlets agreed on the core facts of confinement and abuse but differed on the exact start date and legal procedural status.
Why it matters
The case highlights severe child exploitation and neglect in a mobile, hidden environment, prompting state-level prosecution and potential capital charges. It underscores the role of tipsters in uncovering long-term abuse and the legal consequences for custodial failures in Florida.
What to watch
The cases are set to be tried in Orange County, with no current jail records or court filings as of September 2026. Additional charges may be added, and the state may pursue the death penalty if legally permitted. The public defenders for Epps and Stewart have not yet responded to inquiries.
- Children held in semi truck cab, abused for 7 years: 'Rolling prison' USA Today
- Couple in Florida Kept 4 Children Inside Truck for Years, Prosecutors Say The New York Times
- 'Rolling prison': Couple facing charges after 4 children confined, abused in semi-truck for 6 years, Florida AG says 6abc Philadelphia
- 'A rolling prison': 4 children confined, abused in semi-truck for 6 years, Florida AG says WESH
- ‘Rolling dungeon’: Man, woman accused of yearslong child abuse inside a truck Orlando Sentinel
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