Florida Teen Charged with Murder and Sexual Abuse in Cruise Ship Death of Stepsister
A 16-year-old boy from Florida has been federally charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. The U.S. Justice Department announced that the teen, identified as T.H., will be prosecuted as an adult following an order by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, despite initially being charged as a juvenile. Kepner’s body was discovered concealed under a bed in a shared cabin on the Carnival Horizon in November before the vessel returned to Florida. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxia. This case is being handled in federal court rather than state court because the incident occurred in international waters, making such prosecution of a minor extremely rare. Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was remembered by her family for her bright spirit. The defendant appeared at the Miami courthouse in February, though details were initially sealed due to his age. Legal representatives for the accused have not yet commented on the indictment.
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Florida Teen Charged with Murder and Sexual Abuse in Cruise Ship Death of Stepsister
A 16-year-old boy from Florida has been federally charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner, aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. The U.S. Justice Department announced that the teen, identified as T.H., will be prosecuted as an adult following an order by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, despite initially being charged as a juvenile. Kepner’s body was discovered concealed under a bed in a shared cabin on the Carnival Horizon in November before the vessel returned to Florida. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be mechanical asphyxia. This case is being handled in federal court rather than state court because the incident occurred in international waters, making such prosecution of a minor extremely rare. Kepner, a high school cheerleader from Titusville, Florida, was remembered by her family for her bright spirit. The defendant appeared at the Miami courthouse in February, though details were initially sealed due to his age. Legal representatives for the accused have not yet commented on the indictment.
AP News