ORANGE COUNTY, Fla, — Two women, one from Atlanta, were charged in Orange County with sexually abusing, molesting and neglecting four children who were confined in the sleeper cab of a tractor-trailer for more than six years, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday.
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Authorities charged Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, of Jacksonville and Keysha Monique Epps, 51, of Atlanta, who served as primary caregivers for the children from January 2020 through April 2026.
According to the state investigation, Epps worked as a commercial truck driver running routes from Atlanta to Miami, making stops throughout Florida, including Orlando.
The four children lived in the truck’s sleeper cab, where they were required to share a single bunk and denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling and medical care, authorities said.
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Florida investigators said the two girls disclosed years of sexual abuse by Stewart. Two boys reported witnessing the abuse and said they were beaten after confronting Stewart and telling Epps.
Authorities said Epps knew of the abuse but failed to stop it and or report it as required.
During a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Stewart admitted to three sexual batteries against one of the girls, including an incident in Orlando.
Investigators noted that two of the children suffered untreated burns that left significant scarring. One child was also diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection.
“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.”
Osceola County Sheriff Chris Blackmon urged the public to remain vigilant and report potential abuse to authorities.
“Protecting children is non-negotiable. Anyone who exploits or harms a child will face the full extent of the law,” Blackmon said.
Stewart faces charges including two counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under age 12, two counts of battery of a child, 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 age 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.
Florida officials stated that the investigation remains ongoing and more charges may be filed.
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