Officials seek death penalty for adults who allegedly kept four children in 'rolling prison' for over six years
Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The Florida Attorney General is seeking the death penalty for two adults who have been accused of confining four children ‘in a rolling prison’ truck for more than six years.
Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, and Keysha Monique Epps, 51, were the primary caregivers of two boys and two girls who lived with them in Epps’ truck from January 2020 through April 2026, according to the investigation.
The office of Attorney General James Uthmeier said the children were required to share a single bunk, and ‘were denied adequate food, hygiene, schooling, and medical care’.
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“After leaving the defendants’ custody, one child was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection,” the office said, while ‘two suffered untreated burns that left significant scarring’.
“The two girls disclosed years of sexual abuse by Stewart.
“The two boys reported witnessing the abuse and said they were beaten after they confronted Stewart and told Epps. It is alleged that Epps knew of the abuse, failed to stop it, and failed to report it as required by Florida law.
“During a post-Miranda interview, Stewart admitted to three sexual batteries against one of the girls, including an offense in Orlando.”
Stewart, of Jacksonville, has been 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.
While Epps, of Atlanta, Georgia, 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.
“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.
“We will pursue with everything we have the death penalty. We will seek executions, if you want to come in here [in Florida] and you want to physically molest, abuse, and violate our little kids.”
“Children are Florida’s future—our greatest hopes and our most sacred responsibility,” added FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.
“The individuals in this case didn’t just break the law; they violated the trust and safety every child deserves. Let this be unmistakably clear: If you harm a child in the state of Florida, we will find you, and we will ensure you are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Attorney General's office said the investigation is ongoing and 'additional charges may be filed'.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.
Anish Vij