A couple in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged after allegedly keeping a teenage girl captive and subjecting her to years of abuse in a case that officials described as “despicable” and “heartbreaking.”

Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, were taken into custody over the weekend, just days after the victim—Spencer’s daughter—escaped from their home.

The 18-year-old victim had reportedly endured abuse since 2018, when she was pulled out of school before entering the seventh grade and confined to her home, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Taking the teen out of school allowed the couple to hide the “heinous, years-long torture” she endured, MacAulay stated.

Authorities charged Spencer and Mosley with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, child endangerment, and weapons violations. Mosley, who worked as a train conductor, also faces sexual assault charges after allegedly abusing the girl and beating her with a belt.

CNN is working to confirm if either defendant has legal representation.

The teen told investigators she was kept in a dog crate for about a year and was only occasionally let out. Later, she was chained inside a padlocked bathroom and only allowed to leave when visitors came. At other times, she lived in a room with just a bucket to use as a toilet. The room had an alarm system to alert the couple if she tried to escape.

Authorities have not disclosed details of how she managed to escape on May 8, but say a neighbor contacted 211 for crisis help before calling 911, prompting law enforcement to respond, MacAulay said.

Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said officers first encountered the girl after she fled the home, but she initially said she was in a dispute with her father and seeking homeless services. Although officers offered domestic violence resources, she declined, and a limited search of the home was conducted with no arrests made. She does not appear to have returned to the home after that encounter.

A later investigation revealed the girl had lived in filthy conditions alongside numerous animals, including dogs and chinchillas, officials reported.

“What this young woman survived was absolutely horrific,” MacAulay said. She added that the victim was “extremely fortunate” to have escaped.

Officials have not disclosed details about the teen’s physical or mental health, citing the need to protect her privacy during the ongoing investigation.

“As you can imagine, anyone who’s been confined for a period of seven years, held in these conditions, living in squalid filth, is going to be damaged psychologically, physically, emotionally, mentally,” MacAulay said. “When it comes to cases involving child endangerment and child abuse and sexual assault, confidentiality to protect the victim is paramount.”

The girl’s 13-year-old sister also lived in the home and had been withdrawn from school years earlier. According to MacAulay, she too was homeschooled.

In New Jersey, guardians only need to notify the school district of their intent to homeschool. They are not required to confirm attendance, instructional hours, subjects taught, or testing, MacAulay explained.

“Homeschooling may be the right choice for many families. Unfortunately, it can be used by others as a means to hide abuse,” the prosecutor said. “Certainly this case proves there’s need to revamp and revisit those laws.”

Both girls are now safe, MacAulay confirmed, though she did not provide details on their current location.

A detention hearing for Spencer and Mosley is set for Friday.

Other Notable Cases of Long-Term Captivity

This escape comes just months after a man in Waterbury, Connecticut, reportedly used printer paper and hand sanitizer to escape from his stepmother’s 20-year captivity.

While cases like the Turpin family in Perris, California, and others often seem rare and bizarre, survivors of long-term captivity have made remarkable recoveries.

Jaycee Dugard, kidnapped at age 11 and held for 18 years—during which she gave birth to two children—has since authored two memoirs detailing her life after freedom.

Elizabeth Smart, abducted from her bedroom at age 14, went on to become a leading child safety advocate and founded a foundation to combat sex and internet crimes against children.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.