A couple from Gloucester Township, New Jersey, faces serious charges after a teenage girl escaped from their home, where she had allegedly been confined for years. Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41, are charged with numerous counts of abuse and kidnapping. Their charges are based on a girl’s terrifying abduction and escape on May 8.
Law enforcement officials say that Spencer ordered his staff to take the pregnant teen out of school on her 15th birthday. After that, she was kept in solitary confinement. The girl, and her younger sister, suffered unimaginable abuse. She was regularly left for days in a dog cage, and then on her rescue placed in a padlocked bathroom with an alarm system to prevent her from getting out. In fact, the couple was even arrested on May 11, just days after the escape.
Details of the Escape
The dramatic escape began when a neighbor saw the 19-year-old woman outside the house begging for help. This neighbor enabled the girl to reach out to law enforcement, producing an efficient investigation by the Gloucester Township Police. Officers arrived at the couple’s residence shortly after the call and arrested Spencer and Mosley separately without incident.
Heroically, the teenager was able to tell the authorities her story. She shared the experience of being confined to the home until family members came to visit as well. While shSDUing in SHAC, she was subjected to violent physical torture, like being whipped with a belt. In addition, she testified that Branndon Mosley had previously sexually assaulted her while she was held captive.
“What this young woman survived was absolutely horrific.” – Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay
Charges Filed Against Spencer and Mosley
Brenda Spencer and Branndon Mosley each now face a slew of new, upgraded charges. Others include aggravated assault, criminal restraint and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Mosley was indicted on multiple felony charges including aggravated sexual assault and sexual assault. He is charged with endangering the welfare of a child by engaging in sexual contact.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay stressed the seriousness of the offense. She stated that the teenager was “forced to live in a dog crate for approximately one year” before being moved to a bathroom where she was chained up. These disclosures, including details of repeated oral violations, suggest that this history of abusive behavior warrants significant legal repercussions.
“This is one of the most despicable cases that I’ve ever run across.” – Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins
Background of the Alleged Abuse
The abuse authorities claim started when the teenage girl was withdrawn from school in 2018. Both girls were allegedly homeschooled while in captivity. Their abuse kept them in an isolated bubble. This isolation carved them off from the supportive systems they had on the outside.
On May 15, Branndon Mosley was a train conductor with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). At the same time, Brenda Spencer was looking for work. The couple’s specific employment situation adds to the murkiness of the case. As investigators continue to learn more about their life prior to arrest, it appears they were known to have exhibited concerning behaviors.
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