18-year-old escapes after being held captive for years, forced to live in dog crate, authorities say

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Gray News) – An 18-year-old escaped from a home in New Jersey where she reportedly suffered years of abuse while being held captive.

According to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, on Saturday, officials were notified that the 18-year-old escaped and ran to a neighbor’s house for help.

The young woman reported that she had been held captive in her home for several years and was the victim of physical and sexual abuse.

During the investigation, the victim told detectives that the abuse had been going on since approximately 2018. Around that time, she was pulled out of school in sixth grade and confined to her home.

The victim said shortly after, she was forced to live in a dog crate for approximately one year and was let out periodically.

The victim said she was later forced to live in a padlocked bathroom while being chained up. She said that she was only let out of the bathroom when family visited the residence.

At other times, she said she was forced to live in a bare room with just a bucket to use instead of a toilet. The room had an alarm system that would be triggered if she tried to leave.

Officials identified the suspects as Brenda Spencer, 38, and Branndon Mosley, 41. Officials did not disclose their relationship to the victim.

The victim told detectives that she was also sexually abused by Mosley and beaten with a belt.

The abuse continued for years until she finally escaped the home on Thursday and ran to a neighbor for help.

Spencer and Mosley were arrested Sunday and are facing numerous charges, including kidnapping, assault and child endangerment.

Mosley is facing additional charges for sexual assault.

Officials said Spencer was unemployed and Mosley worked as a train conductor for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

They are being held in the Camden County Correctional Facility.

Detectives who searched the home said evidence corroborated the victim’s story. They said it appeared the victim was living in “squalid conditions” along with numerous dogs, chinchillas and other animals.

Detectives said they also found a 13-year-old girl who lived at the home and was pulled out of school years ago. It’s unclear if she also faced abuse.

Anyone with information is asked to Detective Timothy Jordan of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at (856) 365-3073 or Detective Daniel Ritz of the Gloucester Township Police Department at (856) 228-4500. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.

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