Stepmother Seeks Delay in Divorce Hearing, Citing FBI Probe and Fear a Child Could Be Incriminated in Cruise Death

Summary: The stepmother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner has filed an emergency motion in Brevard County family court asking a judge to postpone a December hearing, saying she cannot testify because doing so could incriminate her or one of her minor children in the criminal investigation into Anna's death aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7.

Court filing and legal claim. In the emergency motion, Shauntel Kepner (formerly Shauntel Hudson) and her attorney say discussions with FBI investigators and counsel indicate a criminal case may be opened involving one of the couple's minor children. Her lawyer argues that forcing Shauntel to testify in the pending divorce and custody proceeding could violate her constitutional right against self-incrimination and could also prejudice an adolescent child connected to the investigation.

Investigation details

Authorities have confirmed the FBI's Miami office is involved in the probe and that the Miami-Dade medical examiner is handling the autopsy. As of the court filing, no official cause or manner of death had been released. Law enforcement sources indicate investigators recovered surveillance footage from the ship showing the deceased with an individual described as a 'suspect,' and that they are reviewing additional hours of video and ship room-key swipe records.

Some media reports indicate remains were found wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets under a bed in the cabin. Carnival Cruise Line has said it is cooperating with investigators.

Family dispute and allegations

The filing is part of a broader divorce and custody dispute between Shauntel and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson. In a separate emergency motion, Hudson said the couple's eldest child, 18, moved in with him after an alleged altercation involving Hudson, Shauntel, and the deceased teen's father, Christopher Kepner. Hudson's filing also alleges the couple's 16-year-old son is now considered a suspect in the death; court papers state that the teen was released from custody and is currently staying with an unnamed third party.

'All I know is that she went on that boat, and she never came back,' said Christopher Donohue, Anna's step-grandfather, describing the family's confusion and grief.

Shauntel's attorney has denied that the eldest child was involved in a violent altercation and disputed claims that Shauntel blocked court-ordered time with the children. The attorney emphasized that, given the ongoing criminal investigation, Shauntel is exercising her constitutional protection and therefore cannot safely testify at this time.

Legal and public status

The family court matter remains active, but the emergency motion seeks temporary relief to avoid testimony that could interfere with or prejudice related criminal proceedings. Authorities have provided few public updates while the FBI continues its review and the medical examiner completes the autopsy.

As the investigation proceeds, family members and the public are awaiting further information from federal and medical investigators.