An 18-year-old girl in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, escaped from her home on May 8, 2025, after allegedly enduring years of abuse and captivity at the hands of her mother, Brenda Spencer, 38, and stepfather, Branndon Mosley, 41. Authorities report that the teenager had been withdrawn from school in 2018 and subjected to severe physical and sexual abuse, including being confined in a dog crate for approximately a year and later chained in a locked bathroom. The girl managed to flee the residence and sought help from a neighbor, leading to the arrest of Spencer and Mosley on May 11.
Investigators found the home in squalid conditions, housing multiple animals and another child, a 13-year-old girl who had also been withdrawn from school. The 18-year-old victim described being beaten with a belt, sexually assaulted by Mosley, and subjected to constant surveillance through an alarm system. She was reportedly allowed out of confinement only during family visits to conceal the abuse. Both girls have been removed from the home and are receiving care.
Spencer and Mosley face multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and child endangerment. Mosley, a train conductor for SEPTA, has been suspended pending an administrative review. Detention hearings for the couple are scheduled for May 16. Local police have described the case as one of the most disturbing they have encountered.
The case has prompted calls for increased oversight of homeschooling and child welfare systems. Advocates argue that more stringent regulations and regular welfare checks could help prevent similar cases of prolonged abuse. The incident also highlights the importance of community awareness and intervention in identifying and reporting signs of abuse.
The escape of the New Jersey teenager from years of alleged abuse underscores the critical need for vigilant child protection measures. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victims and implementing safeguards to prevent such tragedies in the future. The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children and the collective responsibility to protect them.