A New Jersey couple, Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, from Gloucester Township, are facing charges for allegedly subjecting a teenage girl to seven years of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office reports that the couple forced the now 18-year-old victim to live in a dog crate and later, chained in a bathroom in their home, which was described as being in a deplorable state and filled with various animals.
The victim, who managed to escape from the house last week, reported that the abuse began when Spencer withdrew her from school in the sixth grade. She was then made to live in a dog crate for approximately a year. Subsequently, she was confined to a bathroom, chained, and only allowed to leave when family members visited, in an attempt to conceal the abuse.
When not confined to the bathroom, the victim was forced to live in a bare room with only a bucket to serve as a toilet. The room was equipped with an alarm system that would notify Spencer and Mosley if she attempted to escape. The victim also reported being physically beaten and sexually abused by Mosley, who is a train conductor for SEPTA.
The victim was able to escape with the assistance of a neighbor, who helped her contact the police. Upon investigation, the authorities found the house to be in a deplorable state. A 13-year-old girl, who had also been removed from school years earlier at Spencer’s behest, was found in the house along with numerous dogs, chinchillas, and other animals. The relationship between Spencer, Mosley, and the two girls remains unclear.
The couple was arrested on Sunday and charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal restraint, and various weapons charges. Mosley faces additional charges with five counts of sexual assault. Both Spencer and Mosley are currently detained at the Camden County Correctional Facility awaiting their court hearing.