4 children forced to live in semitruck cab for nearly 7 years, police say
Keisha Monique Epps, 51, a truck driver, and her fiancé, Tamra Stewart both were arrested for neglect.
Four children allegedly lived inside the cab of a semitruck since December 2019 while their guardian drove routes between Atlanta and Miami, according to court documents. They were reportedly rarely allowed outside, attended no school for years and received little or no medical care.
Investigators said the children had been living in the truck since December 2019, spending “the majority of their days” inside the cab. They reportedly shared a single bunk, having to sleep curled up side by side because there was not enough room to lie flat.
The children told investigators they were rarely allowed out of the truck, including to shower, use the restroom or exercise.A detective reportedly noticed that they were walking with an unnatural gait, which investigators attributed to years of confinement.
According to court documents, their last confirmed enrolment was in November 2020, after which they were allegedly directed to use an app that was not recognised as an accredited educational institution.
The children were also allegedly denied medical and dental care. In one incident, a child reportedly suffered a severe burn from cooked noodles. Despite heavy bleeding, the child said she was not taken for medical treatment and was left with a permanent scar.
Investigators further alleged that Stewart sexually abused the children and physically assaulted them when they confronted him about the abuse. The children said Epps was aware of the alleged abuse but continued to leave them alone with Stewart.
The children also told authorities they had not attended a recognised school for several years.
