The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner was arrested and charged last week in connection with the teenager’s death, according to ABC News. The arrest comes three months after Anna died on the Carnival Horizon on November 7, 2025. Her death was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation.

The teenager was previously named as a potential suspect in Anna’s death in court documents during a custody battle between his biological parents Shauntel Kepner and Thomas Hudson, on November 19, 2025. The stepbrother has been identified in court documents as “T.H.”, which are the same initials as his father Thomas, according to Court TV. (We are not naming him or publishing a photo of his face given his status as a juvenile).

The teenager appeared in federal court in Miami on February 6, 2026. He was represented by a public defender and was escorted by a U.S. Marshal between federal buildings. After the court hearing, he was released into the custody of a guardian.

The case has been sealed and specific charges have not been publicly released as the suspect is a juvenile. Law enforcement agencies, most notably the FBI, have declined to provide public updates on the case, despite the investigation taking several months.

On February 6, 2026, Chris Kepner, Anna’s biological father, and Shauntel Kepner, Anna’s stepmother, released a joint statement regarding the incident and investigation. In their statement, they thanked the FBI for its professionalism and dedication to the case but later wrote they continue to “live with unanswered questions.” Their statement reads, “During this investigation, we were advised by the FBI to remain quiet. We respected that request out of trust in the process and in hopes that it would help the investigation. However, as grieving parents who continue to live with unanswered questions and ongoing pain, we can no longer remain silent. Our daughter’s life matters, and we will continue to speak out to honor her, to seek accountability, and to ensure that her case is not forgotten.”

Carnival Cruise Line has not issued any public statement regarding the recent arrest or court proceedings. The company last commented on the case in November 2025. There have been no allegations, reports, or court filings suggesting wrongdoing by Carnival in Anna’s death.

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February 10, 2026 Update:

According to Florida Today, the “stepbrother of Anna Kepner, the Florida teen killed aboard a Carnival (ship), was not charged with murder, according to the girl’s mother.”

She made a TicTok video yesterday, “where she said she was “apparently misinformed.”

“They didn ‘t charge… with F—king anything when he went to federal court so I’m not sure what that’s all about,” Wright said in her video. “I also heard he’s being tried as a juvenile and not an adult, which is f—ked up. That boy knew what he was doing when he did it. No if, ands, buts about it. Everybody pray for me. Pray for justice for my daughter. Thank you for all the love and support.”

Image credit:

Anna’s stepbrother being escorted by his public defender via Fox 35 via YouTube