Florida AG announces pursuit of death penalty for couple who locked children in truck cab
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office will seek capital punishment for Keisha Monique Epps and Tamra Marshon Stewart, accused of confining and sexually abusing four children in a tractor-trailer for years.
The Florida Attorney General's office intends to request the death penalty for Keisha Monique Epps, 51, and Tamra Marshon Stewart, 37, who are accused of imprisoning four children in the cab of a tractor-trailer for up to six years and repeatedly sexually abusing them. Charges include sexual battery, lewd molestation, and severe neglect, with investigators describing the vehicle as a "rolling prison" where the kids lacked showers, proper food, and medical treatment.
One child suffered an untreated sexually transmitted infection and another sustained permanent scarring from a burn. The children reportedly missed school for about five years and exhibited physical injuries from prolonged confinement. Both defendants were taken into custody on Aug. 6 and are currently detained at the Duval County Jail, represented by public defender and state counsel offices.
Why it matters
The case highlights extreme child abuse and raises questions about prosecutorial use of the death penalty in sexual assault cases.
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