A Florida teenager has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse following the death of his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise Line vessel, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
The accused, identified as T.H. in court documents, was indicted on March 10, though details of the case remained sealed until Friday. A federal judge has approved his prosecution as an adult at the government's request — a rare move in federal cases involving teenagers.
Body Found Concealed Below Bed
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was travelling with her family aboard the Carnival Horizon in November when her body was discovered concealed under a bed in a shared cabin. The medical examiner determined her death on November 6, 2025, resulted from mechanical asphyxia — when an object or physical force prevents breathing.
The teenager had been sharing the room with two other young people, including his stepsister.
Family Awaits Justice
Kepner's grandfather, Jeffrey Kepner, who was aboard the cruise, expressed frustration over the defendant's release pending trial. "I hope he will be in custody soon. We are ready for justice," he said in a statement.
Christopher Kepner, Anna's father, released his own statement saying the family was placing "trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with care and integrity."
"At the same time, we are deeply troubled that, despite the seriousness of the charges, he has not been taken into custody. The situation is deeply painful and complex for the entire family," Kepner said.
At a memorial service in November, family members asked attendees to wear bright colours instead of traditional black "in honour of Anna's bright and beautiful soul."
Rare Federal Prosecution of Minor
Prosecution of teenagers in federal court remains exceptionally uncommon. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty when charged in February, though those proceedings were sealed due to his age.
A judge ordered T.H. to wear an electronic monitoring device while living with an uncle. Recent unsealed court documents reveal the order was modified to permit brief visits with his father at a landscaping business.
Federal prosecutors have objected to his release, citing concerns about public safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López argued in court filings that "he committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling."
Defence lawyers have been given one week to respond to prosecutors' request to revisit the release conditions now that charges have been filed as an adult case.
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a statement: "Our hearts go out to the victim's family during this unimaginable loss. A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offences that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters."
This article is based on reporting from CBC World.