Las Vegas stepmom sent to prison after children found locked in dog cage
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A judge sentenced the stepmother of six severely abused children to seven to 18 years in prison for failing to intervene to protect the children. Amanda Stamper, 33, spoke in court moments before learning her fate Thursday.
“I’m embarrassed to be here. I know I should have done something sooner,” Stamper said. “I do take full responsibility for it. I was not in the best situation either and I was scared.”
In June of 2023, Las Vegas Metro police found the six children home alone. Two of them were locked in a dog cage. The oldest was 11 years old. Body camera video showed officers rescuing the children who all showed signs of abuse. Allegations dated back to 2019, according to the Clark County District Attorney’s office.
Stamper’s husband, Travis Doss, a seemingly unsuccessful rapper known as “Trap Montana,” is accused of abusing the children.
Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Dena Rinetti said Doss, 32, kept one of the children locked in a dog cage for five days while also starving him. The child was severely malnourished.
“Every single day the defendant failed to protect her six stepchildren,” Rinetti said. “Her actions and her inactions will affect these children for the rest of their lives.”
Stamper pleaded guilty to three felony counts of child abuse, neglect, or endangerment in December. A grand jury in Clark County previously indicted Stamper on seven counts of felony child abuse and neglect.
The grand jury indicted Doss on 38 counts of child abuse, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of sex trafficking and one count of living off of the earnings of a prostitute. All of the charges are felonies. Stamper is identified as a victim in the sex trafficking case.
Caesar Almase, Stamper’s defense attorney, argued for probation and reiterated that she was abused by Doss, both physically and mentally.
“Very clearly she was not thinking rationally,” Almase said.
Rinetti pointed out that Doss had access to a vehicle and the opportunity to leave the home and call police or Child Protective Services. Doss had even texted Stamper a photo of one of the children who appeared to be dead, saying that he killed him, according to Rinetti. The child survived. However, Stamper only called 911 after Doss had been cheating on her and she had sent Doss nearly 100 unanswered text messages, Rinetti said.
“It was all about her and it was never about children,” Rinetti said.
By law in Nevada, individuals who work regularly with children such as school and medical professionals are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect. None of the children were attending school, according to Rinetti, so Stamper was their only chance.
Stamper and Doss had one child together at the time of their arrests. Stamper gave birth to another child last December.
Clark County District Court Judge Nadia Krall noted that Stamper will receive credit for the 257 days she has already served in jail.
Stamper and Doss both had criminal histories when they were arrested. There was an active warrant for Doss out of South Carolina. He was wanted for aggravated assault, according to North Myrtle Beach Police. Two days before the warrant for Doss was issued in January, Stamper was arrested, according to police. This was in connection to a warrant for violating federal probation related to drug charges in Tennessee, police said.
During one court hearing, Doss shook his head at 8 News Now’s camera and tried to hide.
Doss continues to fight his case and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 29.
To report child abuse, visit the DCFS website (https://dcfs.nv.gov/Programs/CWS/CWS-PhoneDirectory/). To reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline, call: 800-799-7233.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
