New Jersey ‘House of Horrors’ Parents Accused of Holding Girl Captive for 6 Years and Chaining Her to Toilet

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 11, 2025

Gloucester Township, NJ – In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community, an 18-year-old girl in New Jersey has reportedly been held captive and abused by her mother and stepfather for six years in what prosecutors have described as a “house of horrors.”

The girl was allegedly confined to a padlocked bathroom, chained, and forced to use a bucket as a toilet during her prolonged captivity. The accused, Brenda Spencer, 38, and her husband, Branndon Mosley, 41, were arrested in May and charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and child endangerment.

The severity of the alleged abuse and the horrific conditions faced by the victim have elicited widespread condemnation across New Jersey and beyond.

A Chilling Account of Abuse and Captivity

Authorities responded to reports on May 10 that a child had been abused and held captive in a South Jersey home. The victim’s harrowing story revealed years of confinement and physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Spencer and Mosley, beginning soon after she was removed from school in the sixth grade at Spencer’s discretion.

Details shared by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office paint a grim picture:

The victim was forced to live in a dog crate for about one year, only let out occasionally.
She was subsequently confined to a padlocked bathroom where she was chained to a toilet.
At other times, she lived in a bare room with nothing but a bucket to relieve herself, monitored by an alarm system to prevent escape attempts.
The teenager was physically beaten with a belt and alleged sexual abuse by Mosley.

Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins described the case as “one of the most despicable cases” he had ever encountered.

The victim managed to escape on May 8, with help from a neighbor, and disclosed the abuse she endured to law enforcement, leading to the arrests of Spencer and Mosley.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Sentences

Following their arrest, the couple faced multiple serious charges:

Branndon Mosley faces life imprisonment if convicted due to the gravity of the offenses.
Brenda Spencer could face up to 30 years in prison.

On September 8, attorneys for both defendants pleaded not guilty during a hearing. Assistant Prosecutor Rachael Minardi revealed plea deal offers — Mosley could receive 50 years and Spencer 25 years if they agree to pleas, though Spencer’s attorney deeming it premature to negotiate.

“We’re not even there at this point in time,” said Spencer’s attorney Terrell Ratliff.

The Broader Impact and Community Response

The case has drawn national attention due to its severity and the disturbing nature of the prolonged abuse. Authorities found the victim living in a cluttered house alongside numerous animals, including dogs and chinchillas, alongside another homeschooled 13-year-old girl also removed from school by Spencer.

The investigation and arrest have sparked urgent conversations around child welfare, neglect, and the importance of reporting suspected abuse promptly. Community members and officials alike are grappling with the shock of this “house of horrors” ordeal.

For those seeking more information or support related to sexual assault, resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) and the website rainn.org are available.

For a detailed report on the case, visit People.com.

What Comes Next for the ‘House of Horrors’ Case?

As the legal process unfolds, the community awaits justice for the victim of this prolonged abuse. The defendants face significant prison time if convicted, but the scars from this ordeal highlight the urgent need for vigilance in child protection and support services.

The case also serves as a stark reminder of the grave consequences of abuse and the importance of community awareness and intervention in suspected situations of child endangerment.