MIAMI — A 16-year-old Titusville boy has been indicted as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the death of his stepsister aboard a cruise ship.
The federal grand jury indictment, announced Monday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, alleges that the teen killed Anna Kepner while traveling on the Carnival Horizon in November 2025.
According to court records, the incident occurred between Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, 2025, while the vessel was navigating international waters en route to Miami. Investigators say the defendant, identified in court documents as T.H., sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation.
The case was originally filed as a juvenile matter on Feb. 2 and remained under seal. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom recently ordered the case transferred for adult prosecution, leading to the public indictment.
“A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones. “We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care.”
The FBI Miami Field Office is leading the investigation into the death. If convicted of the charges, the Titusville teenager faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Federal officials reminded the public that an indictment is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida press release; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida records; Talk of Titusville reporting.
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