A 16-year-old boy in Florida has been accused of murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise Line vessel, according to the U.S. Justice Department. The teenager, known as T.H., was formally charged on March 10, with details of the case only becoming public after a recent court order. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ruled that T.H. would be treated as an adult based on the prosecution’s request.
The victim, Anna Kepner, was traveling with her family on the Carnival Horizon ship in November when her body was discovered hidden under a bed in a cabin she shared with two other teenagers, including her stepbrother. The cause of her death on November 6, 2025, was determined to be mechanical asphyxia.
Family members of the victim, including Jeffrey Kepner, Anna’s grandfather, expressed their readiness for justice. Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, emphasized the family’s trust in the justice system to seek the truth with diligence and integrity. However, they expressed deep concern that T.H. had not been taken into custody despite the seriousness of the charges.
T.H.’s legal representatives did not respond to requests for comments. The accused has been under the supervision of an uncle since his arrest in February and has not been detained. U.S. attorney Jason Reding Quiñones extended condolences to the victim’s family and highlighted the serious charges filed by a federal grand jury related to the incidents on the international waters vessel.
Notably, cases involving teenagers prosecuted in federal court are uncommon. T.H. had pleaded not guilty when initially charged in February. Court proceedings and documents were sealed due to his age. Concerns were raised about T.H.’s release, with prosecutors citing potential danger. Defence lawyers are set to respond to the latest developments following the decision to charge T.H. as an adult.
Assistant U.S. attorney Alejandra López underscored the severity of the crimes committed by T.H. against a victim with whom he had no known conflict, emphasizing that the victim was regarded as a sibling. Anna Kepner, a cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, was remembered for her vibrant spirit at a memorial service where attendees were encouraged to wear bright colors in her honor.