A couple from Gloucester Township, New Jersey, Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, are accused of holding a girl captive and abusing her for seven years. The victim, Spencer’s daughter, escaped on May 8, leading to their arrest over the weekend. Authorities describe the case as "heartbreaking."
The abuse allegedly began in 2018 when the girl, now 18, was removed from school before starting seventh grade. Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay stated that removing her from school helped hide the abuse. Spencer and Mosley face multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Mosley, a train conductor, also faces several counts of sexual assault.
The victim was confined to a dog crate for about a year and later held in a padlocked bathroom while chained. She was only let out when family visited. At other times, she was kept in a room with a bucket for a bathroom, monitored by an alarm system.
The victim's escape was aided by a neighbor who contacted authorities. A search of the home revealed she lived in squalid conditions with numerous animals. The victim’s 13-year-old sister, also living in the home, had been pulled from school years earlier and was homeschooled.
The couple's detention hearing is scheduled for Friday (May 16). The case has drawn attention due to its severity and the length of time the victim was allegedly held captive.