Timothy Hudson, a 16-year-old charged as an adult with first-degree murder and sexual assault in the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship, was not detained despite the serious charges because he remains a minor under federal court protections for juveniles.
Background
Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader from Florida, was killed during what her family described as a vacation aboard a Carnival cruise ship. The incident occurred while she was traveling with her father Chris Kepner and stepmother Shauntel Kepner, along with Hudson, who is Anna's stepbrother.
Court documents obtained by CBS News reveal that authorities recovered Anna Kepner's cell phone from the ship's lost and found after it was allegedly discovered in a trash can where surveillance video showed Hudson apparently disposing of the device. According to prosecutors, Hudson and Anna were alone in their shared cabin from approximately 7:51 p.m. to 11:21 p.m. on the night of the incident.
Prosecutors allege that Anna Kepner's Apple Watch, which tracked her heart rate, stopped working during this timeframe — a period they believe corresponds to when the crime allegedly occurred.
The Investigation
Hudson has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder and sexual assault in connection with Kepner's death. However, being prosecuted in federal court carries significant protections for minors, including requirements that juvenile defendants be held near their families or in community-based facilities whenever possible.
Sonya Ziske, who identifies herself as Timothy Hudson's step-grandmother and says she helped raise him, is now calling for criminal charges against Chris and Shauntel Kepner, alleging negligence during the cruise vacation. This marks her first public statement since the incident.
The lack of parental supervision on a floating city, Ziske said. Putting three teenagers, two boys and a girl in a room together that were not raised together, it's just a recipe for disaster.
Ziske claims she and her husband attempted to contact Shauntel Kepner after reading reports about the incident online but received minimal response. According to Ziske, Shauntel told them only: Whatever you do, just don't talk to the media.
The Charges
While Hudson faces first-degree murder and sexual assault charges as an adult, questions remain about whether his parents could face criminal liability for alleged negligence.
Dave Aronberg, a former Palm Beach State Prosecutor not involved in this case, explained how such investigations typically proceed. Here, the question is, did the parents do something or fail to do something that enabled their child to commit this horrific crime? he told CBS News. It's a very fact-based inquiry, and I don't know if there are enough facts to sustain that charge.
The Kepners' attorney, Millicent Athanason, previously denied allegations that the children were drinking on the ship during a November custody hearing related to an unrelated family dispute. The issue that counsel raised about drinking, there are videotapes on the ship that confirmed that there was absolutely no drinking, Athanason said at the time.
Ziske believes alcohol played a role in the incident and that Hudson may have blacked out that night. He truly does not remember, Ziske said of Hudson's account to family members. Timothy has said that they were drinking. I believe 100% those kids were drinking on the ship.
Key Takeaways
- Timothy Hudson, 16, is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and sexual assault in Anna Kepner's death aboard a Carnival cruise ship
- Despite serious charges, Hudson remains undeterred due to federal court protections for minor defendants
- Sonya Ziske, Hudson's step-grandmother, is calling for neglect charges against Chris and Shauntel Kepner
- Court documents show authorities recovered the victim's phone from ship's lost and found after allegedly finding it in a trash can
- The Kepners' attorney has denied drinking allegations, citing ship videotapes as evidence
- Hudson currently resides with his maternal uncle in Florida's Tampa area
What's Next
Hudson's case is expected to proceed through federal court as he awaits trial on the murder and sexual assault charges. Meanwhile, investigators continue to examine surveillance footage and physical evidence collected from the cruise ship, including Anna Kepner's recovered cell phone and Apple Watch data.
It remains unclear whether authorities will pursue neglect or endangerment charges against Chris and Shauntel Kepner. Ziske has stated she believes the couple is unfit to have custody of any remaining children in their care, citing what she described as a pattern of isolation from extended family members over recent years.