Left: Brenda Spencer. Right: Branndon Mosley (Camden County Prosecutor).
Authorities in New Jersey report that they have uncovered disturbing, long-term abuse suffered by an 18-year-old woman, inflicted by her mother and stepfather, who confined her to a padlocked bathroom and forced her to remain in a dog crate.
Outside of these terrible conditions, she was kept in a room equipped only with a bucket for her bathroom needs and an alarm system that would alert her captors if she attempted to leave, according to police allegations.
The victim managed to escape on May 8 and sought refuge at a neighbor’s home, who then contacted the police, as reported by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects, 38-year-old Brenda Spencer and 41-year-old Branndon Mosley, now face multiple charges, including kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Additionally, Mosley is charged with aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child through sexual contact.
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According to cops, the victim did not detail the full extent of her abuse at the Gloucester Township home until Saturday, two days after her escape. Investigators learned the alleged abuse started around 2018 when Spencer, the victim’s mother, removed the victim, who was then in sixth grade from school and “confined” her inside the home. The victim was forced to live in a dog crate for about a year and only let out “periodically,” prosecutors said. Later, she allegedly stayed chained inside a bathroom and only left when family visited the residence.
“At other times, she was forced to live in a bare room with just a bucket to use instead of a toilet,” prosecutors explained. “She explained the bare room had an alarm system that would alert Spencer and Mosley if she tried to leave.”
Mosley, the victim’s stepfather, also allegedly beat her with a belt and sexually abused her.
When cops searched the home, they found there was also a 13-year-old girl living there. They were allegedly living in “squalid” conditions with several dogs, chinchillas and other animals. Detectives arrested Spencer and Mosley on Sunday.
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“What this young woman survived was absolutely horrific,” prosecutor Grace MacAulay told reporters at a press conference.
Local NBC affiliate WCAU spoke with the neighbor who helped rescue the victim.
“I wish I knew what was going on before,” she said. “Otherwise, I would have reported it.”
Said another neighbor: “I kind of already had a suspicion of what happened. Only because you never see them and they’re very quiet and it could have only been one thing. That’s kind of always been kind of weird to me.”
Mosley worked as a rail conductor for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, per prosecutors. He was reportedly put on leave after his arrest.
A court hearing is scheduled for Friday.
