Parents Accused of Holding Girl Captive for 6 Years in ‘House of Horrors’
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The mother and stepfather of an 18-year-old girl in New Jersey have been arrested and charged with severely abusing her, prosecutors revealed. Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, stand accused of holding the girl captive for six years and subjecting her to unimaginable torment, including chaining her to a toilet and forcing her to use a bucket as a toilet.
The arrests in May of Mosley and Spencer sent shockwaves through the community, as details emerged of the horrific conditions the girl allegedly endured in what authorities have dubbed a “house of horrors.” The couple faces charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Mosley potentially faces life in prison, while Spencer could be sentenced to up to 30 years.
During the court proceedings following their indictments, their attorneys entered not guilty pleas on their behalf. Assistant Prosecutor Rachael Minardi outlined potential plea deals, with Mosley facing 50 years in prison and Spencer facing 25. However, Spencer’s attorney, Terrell Ratliff, dismissed the discussion of deals as premature.
The allegations against the couple paint a disturbing picture of the girl’s ordeal. She reportedly was removed from school in the sixth grade and confined to her home, where she was initially forced to live in a dog crate for a year before being transferred to a padlocked bathroom, where she was chained up. The only amenity provided was a bucket for her basic needs, and an alarm system was in place to prevent her escape.
The teenager disclosed that she had been subjected to physical abuse, including beatings with a belt, and alleged that Mosley had sexually assaulted her. She managed to escape the residence with the help of a neighbour on May 8 and subsequently reported the abuse she had endured to the authorities.
Upon investigating the residence, police discovered that the girl had been living in squalid conditions alongside numerous animals. She had been homeschooled alongside another girl, aged 13, who had also been taken out of school by Spencer. Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins described the case as one of the most despicable he had encountered.
The community was left reeling from the revelations of the shocking mistreatment the girl had suffered. Attorneys for Spencer and Mosley have yet to comment publicly on the case. The severity of the allegations and the harrowing details of the case have prompted a wave of support for the victim and calls for justice to be served.