Detention Ordered for Carnival Cruise Stepsister Killing Suspect After Move to Adult Court

A federal judge ordered the detention of Timothy Hudson, then 16, pending trial for the alleged first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse of his stepsister Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival Cruise in November 2025, after prosecutors moved the case from juvenile to adult court. The judge said no release conditions could reasonably protect the public given the dangers posed by the alleged crime in a confined ship setting. Hudson had previously been released to a family member under strict conditions but will remain in custody, receive mental health evaluation and treatment, and be housed only with juveniles with access to counsel and family visits ahead of a September trial.