Mother, Stepfather Arrested After Girl Escapes from Home Where She Was Allegedly Held Captive, Kept in Dog Crate and Abused: Police

The mother and stepfather of an 18-year-old girl in New Jersey have been arrested after the teenager claimed she was held captive and sexually abused for years, according to authorities.

On Saturday, May 10, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Gloucester Township Police Department responded to reports that a child had been kept in the home and abused for several years, per a news release shared on Facebook.

The alleged victim’s mother, Brenda Spencer, 38, and stepfather, Branndon Mosley, 41, have since been arrested, amid reports that the abuse had been going on since approximately 2018.

“Around that time, she was removed from school in the sixth grade at Spencer’s discretion and confined to her home. She stated that shortly after this, she was forced to live in a dog crate for approximately one year and was let out periodically,” the post continued.

Police said, “The victim advised she was later forced to live in a padlocked bathroom while being chained up. She stated that she would be let out of the bathroom when family visited the residence.”  

The release stated that, at other times, the alleged victim had been “forced to live in a bare room with just a bucket to use instead of a toilet,” claiming that the room she was in “had an alarm system that would alert Spencer and Mosley if she tried to leave.” 

The teenager claimed she’d also been beaten with a belt, as well as allegedly being sexually abused by Mosley, per the release. 

The release said, “The abuse occurred for years until she escaped the residence on Thursday, May 8, 2025, and was assisted by a neighbor. She later disclosed the abuse, which was reported to law enforcement.”

Police said the girl had been “living in squalid conditions alongside numerous dogs, chinchillas and other animals” after detectives searched the residence.

“Detectives learned that a 13-year-old who also lived in the home was removed from school years earlier at Spencer’s discretion as well. Both girls were allegedly homeschooled,” the release stated.

In a press conference on Wednesday, May 14, Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay confirmed Spencer was the mother of both of the girls, and Mosley was the stepfather.

Related Stories

Photos Show Filthy Home Where Woman Allegedly Held Stepson Captive for 20 Years

Man Allegedly Held Captive By Stepmom for Decades Speaks Out: ‘Reclaim Control’

The suspects were both charged with the following offenses on Sunday, May 11: first-degree kidnapping (one count); second-degree conspiracy to commit kidnapping (one count); second-degree aggravated assault (one count); second-degree endangering the welfare of a child – abuse/neglect (five counts); third-degree criminal restraint (one count); third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (one count); third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (one count); and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (one count).

The release confirmed Mosley was also charged with the following: first-degree aggravated sexual assault (two counts); second-degree sexual assault (two counts); and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child – sexual contact (one count).

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

Police said in their release that Mosley worked for SEPTA as a train conductor, while Spencer was unemployed. However, SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) claimed to PEOPLE that Mosley worked as a rail engineer for the company.

Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins called the case “one of the most despicable cases” he had “ever run across” while speaking at Wednesday’s press conference.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.

SEPTA told PEOPLE in their statement, “Mr. Mosley was held off duty as of May 11th pending a SEPTA administrative review, which is the standard policy in this type of situation. He has worked for SEPTA for approximately 18 years.”

It’s not immediately clear if the suspects have a lawyer. Both were remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending detention hearings set for Friday, May 16.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.