A Titusville teenager will be tried as an adult in the death of his stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship last fall, according to court records filed this week in federal court.

T.H., 16, has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of Anna Kepner, who was traveling with him and other family members on Carnival Cruise Line's Horizon in November 2025, according to documents obtained by Global News.

The charges mark a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention to the complex legal landscape governing crimes committed in international waters. Federal prosecutors are pursuing the case under the Maritime Criminal Jurisdiction Act, which allows U.S. authorities to prosecute certain crimes aboard ships registered in the United States.

The Carnival Horizon departed from a Florida port in mid-November for what was supposed to be a week-long Caribbean voyage. Details about what transpired aboard the ship remain sealed in juvenile proceedings, but the decision to charge T.H. as an adult signals prosecutors believe the evidence warrants the most serious criminal consequences.

Questions of Jurisdiction

Crimes committed on cruise ships occupy a murky legal territory that often frustrates families seeking justice. When a vessel is in international waters, jurisdiction typically falls to the country where the ship is registered — in this case, the United States, as Carnival's fleet operates under U.S. flag.

"These cases are incredibly complex because you're dealing with multiple jurisdictions, maritime law, and often crimes that occur far from shore," said Jennifer Martinez, a maritime law professor at the University of Miami. "The FBI typically takes the lead, but prosecution can be challenging when evidence collection happens in a floating environment with passengers from multiple countries."

The FBI's involvement in the investigation was confirmed by sources familiar with the case, though the agency declined to comment on ongoing proceedings.

A Family Tragedy

Court documents indicate that T.H. and Kepner were part of a blended family traveling together on the cruise. The Titusville community, a small city on Florida's Space Coast known primarily for its proximity to Kennedy Space Center, has been shaken by the case.

While authorities have released limited information about the victim, the charging documents' reference to aggravated sexual abuse suggests a violent crime that prosecutors believe meets the threshold for adult prosecution under Florida and federal law.

In Florida, juveniles can be charged as adults for serious offenses including murder, and prosecutors have discretion to direct-file such cases in adult court. The decision typically considers factors including the severity of the alleged crime, the defendant's age and maturity, and prior criminal history.

Cruise Industry Under Scrutiny

The case adds to growing concerns about safety and accountability in the cruise industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny over how it handles serious crimes at sea.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, cruise lines reported 35 alleged sexual assaults aboard ships in 2024, along with numerous other serious crimes. Advocacy groups argue the true numbers are likely higher, as many incidents go unreported or are handled internally by cruise line security rather than law enforcement.

"Families board these ships thinking they're entering a safe, controlled environment," said Sarah Chen, executive director of the International Cruise Victims Association. "But the reality is that once you're at sea, you're in a very different legal world, and getting justice can be extraordinarily difficult."

Carnival Cruise Line released a brief statement following the charges: "Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragic incident. We have cooperated fully with law enforcement throughout their investigation and will continue to do so."

Legal Path Forward

T.H. is currently being held pending trial, according to court records. His defense attorney has not yet filed public motions in the case, and attempts to reach the attorney for comment were unsuccessful.

If convicted as an adult, T.H. could face life imprisonment. However, recent Supreme Court rulings have placed limits on sentencing juveniles to life without parole, requiring judges to consider the defendant's age and capacity for rehabilitation.

The case is expected to proceed through the federal court system in the Southern District of Florida, where similar maritime cases have been prosecuted. Legal observers anticipate a lengthy pre-trial process as defense attorneys challenge the decision to charge their client as an adult and examine the evidence collected by FBI investigators.

For the Kepner family and the Titusville community, the charges represent a step toward accountability, even as questions linger about how such a tragedy could unfold aboard a vessel carrying thousands of passengers.

The trial date has not yet been set. Federal prosecutors have indicated they will seek detention without bail, citing both the severity of the charges and concerns about flight risk.