Police Say Parents Locked Kids in ‘Squalid’ Home for 7 Years of Abuse Under Guise of Home School

Gloucester Township Police/Facebook

An 18-year-old New Jersey woman fled her parents’ home where she claims they held her captive for seven years. The unidentified woman escaped her Gloucester Township home to seek help from a neighbor. But when police met her on May 8, 2025, she reportedly declined domestic violence services. Two days later, however, the truth of her situation came out.

Ultimately, her story led to the arrest of her mother, 38-year-old Brenda Spencer, and stepfather, 41-year-old Branndon Mosley. The pair now face multiple felony charges in relation to years of alleged severe child abuse against the minors in their home.

The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office held a press conference on May 13, detailing the 18-year-old’s claims. According to Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins, police responded to a call on May 8. At the time, the 18-year-old claimed she needed homeless services. After initially declining domestic violence services, on May 10 she reportedly told investigators a horrific story of abuse that began in 2018.

Spencer and Mosley allegedly removed the girl and her sister from school to homeschool them, keeping them confined for seven years. The adults reportedly forced the girl to live in a dog crate for a year, only letting her out periodically.

“The victim advised she was later forced to live in a padlocked bathroom while being chained up. She stated that she would be let out of the bathroom 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,” a statement from the county prosecutor’s office reads. “She explained the bare room had an alarm system that would alert Spencer and Mosley if she tried to leave. She also reported being beaten with a belt as well as being sexually abused by Mosley.”

After the victim escaped, police visited the home where she lived with Spencer, Mosley, and her sister. According to investigators, the adults forced the victim to live in “squalid conditions” among dogs, chinchillas, and other animals, the prosecutor’s office’s statement notes. While at the home, police discovered a 13-year-old girl. Spencer claimed she was homeschooling her daughters.

Police arrested Spencer and Mosley, who each face one charge of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Additionally, they each face five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, per the prosecutor’s office’s statement.

Mosley also faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child with sexual contact.

A judge remanded the pair to Camden County Correctional Facility pending a May 16 hearing.

If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.