Florida Attorney General seeks death penalty for couple accused of abusing four children

<p>Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office will seek the death penalty for two adults accused of confining four children to the cab of a tractor-trailer for over six years and sexually abusing them.</p><p>Keisha Monique Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, face charges including sexual battery, molestation, and neglect of two girls and two boys aged 5, 6, and 9, according to Uthmeier.</p><p>Epps, a truck driver, and Stewart, identified as her fiancé, lived in the cab with the children while frequently traveling between Miami and Atlanta, as stated in court documents.</p><p>Uthmeier described the situation, saying, "These children were trapped in a rolling prison and abused by the adults who were supposed to protect them." He emphasized the commitment to pursuing the death penalty for those who harm children.</p><p>Florida law permits the death penalty for adults convicted of sexual battery against children under 12.</p><p>According to Uthmeier, the two girls were sexually abused by Stewart for several years. Reports indicate that when the boys confronted Stewart about the abuse, he physically assaulted them.</p><p>The children reported to authorities that they had informed Epps about the abuse and had witnessed her witnessing it. Epps allegedly used derogatory names towards one of the children and continued to leave them alone with Stewart.</p><p>Stewart admitted to committing multiple sexual batteries against one of the girls, as per Uthmeier’s office.</p><p>One child was found to have an untreated sexually transmitted infection, and the conditions of their confinement were described as severe. The children were reportedly denied basic needs such as showers, restroom access, and outdoor exercise.</p><p>Uthmeier noted that the children were forced to use cups and paper bags as toilets and were often left locked in the truck while the adults took breaks.</p><p>Over the years, the children suffered from severe physical ailments due to the abuse, and they had not attended school for approximately five years, according to an arrest report. A detective observed that the children exhibited an unnatural gait due to their confinement.</p><p>The children were reportedly poorly fed and did not receive necessary medical or dental care, even in emergencies. Two children had untreated burns that resulted in significant scarring.</p><p>One girl recounted a severe burn incident involving cooked noodles, stating that neither Stewart nor Epps sought medical treatment for her injuries, which left her with a permanent scar.</p><p>Stewart was responsible for supervising the children while Epps was occupied with sleeping, showering, or driving the truck. The children shared a small bunk in the cab, requiring them to lie curled up together.</p><p>Stewart faces multiple charges, including sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority, lewd or lascivious molestation of a child under 12, and child neglect causing permanent disfigurement. Epps is charged with similar offenses, including failure to report child abuse.</p><p>Epps and Stewart were arrested on August 6 and are currently held in the Duval County Jail. The Duval County Office of the Public Defender is representing Stewart, while Epps is represented by Florida’s Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel.</p><p>Neither legal office responded to requests for comment prior to publication.</p>