Four children in Jacksonville allegedly lived inside the cab of a commercial semi-truck for nearly seven years, sharing a single bed and rarely permitted outside even to use a restroom, according to an arrest report. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office records show 51-year-old Keisha Epps and 37-year-old Tamra Stewart were booked into the Duval County Jail on August 6, 2026, and now face multiple child abuse charges.
According to Action News Jax, investigators say the four children began living in the truck cab in December 2019 and were fed poorly during that time. The arrest report also states the children did not attend school and did not receive medical care, according to the outlet's reporting on the case.
The report further alleges that Stewart beat the children by punching their heads, and that the children eventually confronted her about alleged sexual abuse — abuse that the children reportedly witnessed involving Stewart, per the arrest report. Epps allegedly did not believe the children when they reported the abuse and continued to leave them alone with Stewart, the report states. Epps is also accused of calling the children derogatory names, according to the same account.
Trucking Company Says It Has Cut Ties With Epps
Epps was employed by Forward Air, a publicly traded expedited freight and airport logistics company headquartered in Greeneville, Tennessee, according to background compiled by Umbrex. The company told the outlet that Epps was an independent subcontractor rather than a direct employee, and said it has removed her from service and made her ineligible for dispatch while criminal proceedings continue. Forward Air also said it is cooperating with local officials investigating the matter and that the alleged conduct is inconsistent with its values and safety commitment.
Federal trucking regulations add another layer to the case. Under 49 CFR § 392.60, commercial motor vehicle drivers are barred from carrying passengers without explicit written authorization from the motor carrier specifying the passenger's name, route, and authorization expiration date, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It remains unclear how four children could have lived inside a commercial truck cab for years without detection by motor carrier safety inspectors, schools, or healthcare providers.
What the Charges Could Mean in Court
Stewart also faces separate sexual battery charges in Central Florida, meaning the case is expected to play out across more than one judicial circuit. In Jacksonville, both women face child neglect charges, and under Florida Statute § 827.03(2)(d), child neglect without great bodily harm is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine per count, according to attorney Roger P. Foley.
The allegations of physical abuse could carry even steeper exposure. Aggravated child abuse under Florida Statute § 827.03(1)(a) — which covers unlawful caging, willful torture, or malicious punishment of a minor — is a first-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in state prison, according to the Tison Law Group.
How the Children Are Being Cared For Now
Florida law requires any adult with reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect to report it to the statewide Florida Abuse Hotline, with failure to do so carrying felony penalties, per the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Under Florida Statute § 39.303, the Florida Department of Health oversees multidisciplinary Child Protection Teams that work with sheriff's offices and the Department of Children and Families to conduct clinical, medical, and psychological evaluations in complex abuse cases.
When primary caregivers are arrested, Florida Department of Children and Families protocols call for emergency child removals to prioritize placement with non-offending relatives or temporary foster care to reduce further trauma, according to the agency's own guidance. Statewide, DCF's Annual Performance Report for FY 2023–2024 shows child protective investigators handle tens of thousands of maltreatment investigations each year while prioritizing rapid response and emergency safety interventions.
Psychologist Warns of Long Road to Recovery
Forensic psychologist Justin D'Arienzo, a Jacksonville-based board-certified clinical psychologist and former U.S. Navy behavioral health director, said caretaker abuse can fundamentally change a child's sense of safety and view of the world. He noted that children who experience abuse may be shuffled from home to home while caretakers are rehabilitated, and that repeated displacement can cause additional harm on top of the original trauma.
Still, D'Arienzo said recovery is possible. Most children can heal with appropriate care and resources, he said — a note of hope in a case that investigators and child welfare officials are still working through as the two women await further court proceedings.
