KISSIMEE, Fla. — Four children are safe and receiving treatment after authorities said they endured years of abuse while living inside the cab of a semi-truck.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Kissimmee on Tuesday to announce the children’s rescue and the arrests of two suspects.
Authorities said the victims were two boys and two girls who had lived inside the truck for years. During that time, investigators allege the children were sexually abused, malnourished and denied access to appropriate bathroom facilities.
Officials said the children were forced to use cups and paper bags as a toilet while confined inside the cab.
Uthmeier said the investigation began three to four weeks ago after authorities received a tip about the children’s circumstances.
The two suspects face multiple charges, including child neglect, sexual battery and lewd or lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12, according to Uthmeier.
The allegations against the suspects have not been proven in court.
Uthmeier said his office intends to seek the death penalty in the case.
“Here in Florida, we have zero tolerance for anybody that wants to hurt kids,” Uthmeier said.
The attorney general said the children are now safe and receiving treatment but face a lengthy physical and emotional recovery.
Additional details about how authorities located the truck and removed the children were not immediately released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who knows or suspects that a child is being abused, neglected or abandoned can contact the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. The hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2026 Cox Media Group
