A 16-year-old boy charged as an grownup with first-degree homicide and aggravated sexual abuse within the demise of his stepsister throughout a household cruise has pleaded not responsible, courtroom information present.
{The teenager} was due in courtroom in Miami on Wednesday morning for his arraignment, although he waived his look, in response to a submitting from his lawyer.
The Carnival Horizon cruise ship sits docked within the Caribbean Sea on the Aruba Cruise Terminal, November 11, 2025, in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Gary Hershorn/Getty Photographs
The Division of Justice introduced the costs final week, months after 18-year-old Anna Kepner died in November on the Carnival Cruise ship Horizon whereas the ship was en path to Miami.
Prosecutors alleged that the stepbrother “sexually assaulted and deliberately killed” Kepner. The Florida highschool senior died from mechanical asphyxiation, officers mentioned.
The household of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, who was reported lifeless whereas aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Saturday, says they’ll bear in mind her as a contented, bubbly, straight-A pupil with a shiny future forward.
Kepner household
Anna Kepner’s father, Chris Kepner, is married to the suspect’s mom, Shauntel Kepner.
Chris and Shauntel Kepner mentioned in a press release final week, “Our household is devastated by the lack of Anna and continues to grieve this unimaginable tragedy.”
“This case is deeply painful and sophisticated for our whole household,” the Kepners mentioned. “Anna was deeply beloved, and we stay dedicated to honoring her life and reminiscence daily.”
ABC Information’ Sasha Pezenik contributed to this report.
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