Teen charged with murder and sexual abuse of stepsister on cruise ship | US | News
A Florida teenager has been charged with murder and gross sexual abuse following the death of his half-sister on a cruise ship.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of 16-year-old Timothy Hudson on Monday, April 13. He was first charged in February and then indicted on March 10, but the full extent of the case was unknown until it was unsealed Friday, weeks after a judge ruled he would be tried as an adult at the government’s request.
Anna Kepner, 18, was traveling with her family on the Carnival Horizon in November. His body was found under a bed in a cabin he shared with two other teenagers, including his younger half-brother, shortly before the ship returned to Florida.
Anna’s cause of death on November 6 was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, a condition in which an object or physical force prevents a person from breathing.
Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, said in a statement that the family “trusts the justice system to pursue the truth carefully and honestly.”
Anna’s father, Christopher Kepner, said in a statement that the family “trusts the justice system to pursue the truth carefully and honestly.”
“We are also deeply concerned that despite the seriousness of the charges, he has not been taken into custody… The situation is extremely painful and complex for the entire family,” Mr. Kepner said. he said.
Hudson has been free in the custody of his uncle since his arrest in February. Anna was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, about 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, her relatives encouraged attendees to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black to commemorate her “bright and beautiful spirit.”
Teenagers are rarely tried in federal court. The 16-year-old Hudson defendant pleaded not guilty when he was first charged in February, but the proceedings were kept from the public, as were court documents, due to his age.
On February 6, a judge ruled that he must wear an electronic tag while residing with his uncle. The order was later modified and he was allowed to work with his father at a landscaping business for a few days last week, according to newly unsealed court records.
Prosecutors opposed his release on the grounds that he is dangerous and on Monday asked the judge to reconsider that decision because he faces charges as an adult. Defense attorneys were given a week to respond.
“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational disagreement and for whom he was viewed as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court filing. he said.
