The step-grandmother of a teenager accused of committing murder and sexual assault on a Carnival cruise ship is demanding legal action against the adults she believes should have been overseeing the children.
According to an assistant U.S. attorney who addressed a Miami federal judge in May, Anna Kepner suffered a brutal assault at the hands of her younger stepbrother while on the cruise last fall. The attack allegedly involved a violent rape followed by a chokehold that was so forceful, Kepner’s eardrums ruptured.
The tragic incident occurred when 18-year-old Kepner was discovered deceased aboard the Carnival Horizon in November, just a day before the vessel was scheduled to dock in Miami.
In an interview with CBS News, Sonya Ziske is pressing for charges to be brought against Chris and Shauntel Kepner, whom she holds accountable for the lack of supervision of the teenagers during the cruise.
Her 16-year-old step-grandson, Timothy Hudson, is currently facing federal charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse concerning the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner. Despite the severity of the charges, Hudson has been permitted to remain out of custody as the legal proceedings continue.
Ziske questions supervision, alcohol and missed medication
Ziske has raised concerns about the potential involvement of alcohol, missed medication, and insufficient supervision in the incident. She expressed that the teens were placed in a precarious situation without adequate oversight, describing it as “a recipe for disaster.”
“Number one, why were those kids in a room together?” Ziske said. “It’s been said that he was raised to think of her as a sister. They were not raised together.”
Ziske also defended Hudson’s account of events, saying his version of the story has remained consistent throughout the investigation.
“He truly does not remember,” she said. “He did not change from all the interviews that he has had. He has not changed what he has said at all. If there was any type of memory there, he wouldn’t be able to say the same exact thing.”
Kepners deny alcohol claim; attorney silent
The Kepners have denied providing alcohol to the teens. Their attorney did not respond to CBS News’ requests for comment.
The case remains active in federal court. The judge has not yet ruled on whether Hudson will be detained as proceedings continue.
