16-Year-Old Stepbrother Brought To Federal Court Months After Anna Kepner Found Dead On Cruise Ship

A 16-year-old stepbrother of 18-year-old Anna Kepner was escorted to federal court in Miami on Feb. 6, months after Kepner was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon, law enforcement sources told PEOPLE.

Closed-Door Hearing, No Public Complaint

U.S. Marshals escorted the juvenile to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where he and his public defender appeared before a magistrate judge in a closed-door hearing. Court records released so far do not indicate whether a formal criminal complaint has been filed, and prosecutors have not publicly charged the minor.

What Authorities Have Said

According to court filings in a separate civil custody dispute, the teen was identified as a potential suspect in the investigation into Kepner's death. Both parents—Shauntel Hudson (the boy's mother and Kepner's stepmother) and Thomas Hudson (the boy's father)—stated in custody pleadings that the juvenile was the subject of a criminal investigation related to the incident.

Court documents associated with the custody case indicate that Kepner died of asphyxiation from a bar hold. After her body was discovered on Nov. 7 under a bed in the cabin she shared with the teen during the family cruise, text messages obtained by PEOPLE say the stepbrother was in shock and told relatives he could not remember what happened.

Jurisdiction And Investigation

The FBI is leading the inquiry because Kepner's death occurred in international waters while the Carnival Horizon was returning to Miami after a weeklong Caribbean cruise—placing the matter under federal jurisdiction. The FBI has declined to comment publicly on the investigation.

Family Reaction And Court Appearance Details

"She was a normal kid," Anna's father, Christopher Kepner, told PEOPLE. "I want him to face the consequences. I will be fighting to make sure that does happen."

Local station WTVJ published a photo showing the juvenile and his public defender walking from the courthouse to the probation office in the same federal complex that handles pretrial release; the teen's father was visible in the image. After the initial discovery, the boy was reportedly sent to live with an unidentified relative.

Because the matter involves a minor and an active investigation, many details remain sealed or unconfirmed. Officials have not released a criminal complaint, and no public indictment has been reported.

Note: This article summarizes publicly available court filings and news reports. Allegations noted in court documents are not proof of guilt, and the juvenile retains legal protections afforded to minors in the U.S. justice system.