Florida Teen Indicted for Stepsister's Death on Cruise Ship

A 16-year-old Florida boy has been indicted on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse following the death of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department announced Monday.

The teenager, identified as Timothy Hudson, was initially charged as a juvenile in February. However, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom later ordered that he be prosecuted as an adult. Hudson was indicted on March 10, and the case remained sealed until recently.

The incident occurred in November aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family cruise. Before the ship's scheduled return to Florida, the body of Anna Kepner was discovered concealed under a bed in a cabin she shared with two other teens, including Hudson. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxia.

U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones stated, "Our hearts go out to the victim's family during this unimaginable loss. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters."

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged attendees to wear bright colors "in honor of Anna's bright and beautiful soul."

Hudson pleaded not guilty when initially charged in February. He was released to the care of an uncle under electronic monitoring. Prosecutors have objected to his release, citing concerns about public safety, and have requested the court to reconsider the decision.

The case is being prosecuted in federal court due to the incident occurring in international waters, a rare circumstance for juvenile cases. If convicted, Hudson faces a potential life sentence.