Court hearing: Stepbrother ‘suspect’ hospitalized after Anna Kepner’s death on cruise ship
TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Amid an FBI probe into the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship, the teen’s stepmother appeared at a court hearing Thursday involving custody of two children from her previous marriage.
One of those children, a 16-year-old boy, has been described by his parents as a “suspect” in Anna Kepner’s death.
The FBI has not confirmed the 16-year-old is a suspect, nor has the agency disclosed details about its investigation into Anna Kepner’s death.
Shauntel Kepner, who is the children’s biological mother and the stepmother of Anna Kepner, has been involved in a child custody dispute with her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, for more than a year, court records show.
“The older child, who is approximately 16 years of age, is a suspect in the death of the stepchild,” Thomas Hudson’s attorney, Scott Smith, told the judge during a remote court hearing conducted online Thursday morning.
[WATCH: Funeral for Anna Kepner to be held at Titusville church Thursday]
Although there was no immediate resolution to the former couple’s ongoing child custody dispute, the court hearing revealed new details about the cruise on the Carnival Horizon, which returned to the Port of Miami on Nov. 8.
Anna Kepner was joined on the cruise by her father, Christopher Kepner, her stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, and at least two of her children.
Anna Kepner shared a stateroom with her 16-year-old stepbrother, according to Hudson’s attorney.
“It’s our understanding that, because the cruise was in international waters… the 16-year-old was allowed to drink,” said Smith. “The teenagers were given their own room in which to stay. Just a lot of circumstances that showed that the mother in this case was not exercising appropriate supervision over this child or the other child involved.”
[WATCH: 16-year-old stepbrother ‘suspect’ in Titusville teen’s death on cruise ship, court documents show]
Millicent Athanason, Shauntel Kepner’s attorney, disputed the allegation that the 16-year-old consumed alcohol.
“The issue that counsel raised about drinking, there are videotapes on the ship that confirmed that there was absolutely no drinking,” said Athanason. “DCF investigated and saw there was no alcohol in mom’s house whatsoever. So I’m not sure where that’s coming from.”
The 16-year-old was hospitalized “immediately after the incident” for an undisclosed reason, according to Athanason, and is now living with one of his mother’s relatives.
Shauntel Kepner indicated her 16-year-old son “has a psychiatrist appointment” early next month, but did not elaborate after the judge cautioned the mother not to speak without first seeking advice from her attorney.
Brevard County Circuit Court Judge Michelle Pruitt Studstill scheduled a four-hour hearing on Dec. 5 to address child custody arrangements between Shauntel Kepner and her ex-husband.
The attorneys indicated Christopher Kepner, who was also on the cruise, could be called to testify at that hearing.
Hudson’s attorney indicated his client’s 16-year-old son might also be asked to appear in court.
“I would anticipate that the child will choose not to testify and invoke his Fifth Amendment right,” the judge said. “But I don’t know. If you are intending to call him, you will need to file a motion with the court prior to the hearing.”
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