Teen Taken Into U.S. Marshals Custody in Carnival Horizon Case
The 16-year-old has pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from the death of his stepsister aboard the ship.
A Florida teenager accused of killing his stepsister aboard Carnival Horizon has been placed in U.S. Marshals custody while awaiting trial, according to court records.
The 16-year-old, identified in court filings by the initials T.H., was ordered to report to the federal courthouse in Tampa, where his family was to transfer him to federal custody.
A federal grand jury indicted T.H. as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in connection with the November 2025 death of his 18-year-old stepsister, Anna Kepner. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Prosecutors allege that T.H. sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Kepner while Carnival Horizon was traveling to Miami. Officials said Kepner, a Florida high school senior, died from mechanical asphyxiation.
The federal trial is scheduled to begin September 8.