U.S. officials have charged a couple with severe mistreatment of teenagers, including forcing them to live in dog cages and facing years of abuse. This announcement came after the couple fled from what seemed like captivity.
Authorities in Camden County, New Jersey, stated that the pair had been arrested for allegedly confining and abusing a child who had resided in their home for over seven years.
According to a joint statement from prosecutors and local police, the victim disclosed that 38-year-old Brenda Spencer and 41-year-old Brandon Mosley had subjected her to abuse since about 2018.
The victim recounted that she was removed from sixth grade at Spencer’s command and was subsequently imprisoned in their home. Not long after, she was said to have been made to live in a dog crate for roughly a year, being let out sporadically.
After escaping on May 8, the now 18-year-old girl sought assistance from neighbors and later explained a year filled with alleged abuse.
Spencer and Mosley face multiple charges, including various forms of assault.
The statement indicated that the girl lived in unsettling conditions alongside several dogs, chinchillas, and other pets.
Detectives also found that a 13-year-old girl in the household had similarly been removed from school at Spencer’s request, with both girls reportedly being homeschooled.
A year later, the older victim was said to have been made to dwell in a bathroom that was locked and where she was often restrained.
She informed investigators that she was only allowed out during family visits.
At other times, she was compelled to stay in a barren room with just a bucket in place of a toilet, as detailed in the statement.
The victim additionally revealed that the room was monitored by an alarm system if Spencer and Mosley attempted to escape.
Furthermore, she claimed that Mosley had both sexually abused her and physically assaulted her with a belt.
