A 16-year-old teenager in Florida has been formally accused of murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise Line vessel, as reported by the U.S. Justice Department on Monday.
Identified as T.H. in an official announcement by the Justice Department, the teenager was indicted on March 10, but the details of the case were kept under seal until recently when it was revealed that he would be prosecuted as an adult, following a request by the government and a decision by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom.
The tragic incident occurred in November while Anna Kepner was on board the Carnival Horizon ship with her family. Her lifeless body was discovered hidden under a bed in the cabin she shared with two other teenagers, one of whom was her younger stepbrother.
The cause of Kepner’s passing on November 6, 2025, was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, a condition where breathing is obstructed by an object or external force.
Expressing the family’s stance on the matter, Jeffrey Kepner, Anna’s grandfather who was also on the cruise, stated, “I hope he will be in custody soon. We are ready for justice.” Meanwhile, Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, emphasized their reliance on the legal system to seek truth with diligence and honesty.
Despite the gravity of the charges, T.H. has not been detained since his arrest in February and has been under the supervision of an uncle. Requests for comments from T.H.’s legal representatives have not been responded to as of Monday.
U.S. attorney Jason Reding Quiñones extended sympathies to the victim’s family, calling the loss “unimaginable.” An indictment has been issued by a federal grand jury, alleging serious offenses that took place aboard an international waters vessel.
Notably, the case involving a teenager being prosecuted in federal court is infrequent. T.H. had previously pleaded not guilty when initially charged in February, with court proceedings and documents being sealed due to his minor status. However, records show that T.H. was allowed to spend time with his father at a business location last week, with certain conditions imposed by the court.
Prosecutors have raised concerns about T.H.’s release, citing potential risks, and have requested a review of the order now that he is being treated as an adult. Defense attorneys have been given a week to respond to this request.
Assistant U.S. attorney Alejandra López highlighted the nature of the crimes committed by T.H., emphasizing that they were directed at a victim with whom he had no apparent conflicts and who he was supposed to regard as a sibling.