A 16-year-old Florida teen accused of sexually assaulting and murdering his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship made his first public court appearance Wednesday, walking into a Miami federal courthouse with a composed demeanor as his family and the victim’s loved ones await justice.

Timothy Hudson, described by media as “baby-faced,” entered the U.S. District Court in Miami wearing a gray button-down shirt with his hands in his pockets, showing little emotion as photographers captured the moment. A federal judge is weighing whether to revoke his supervised release and detain him ahead of his upcoming trial.

Hudson is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of Anna Marie Kepner. The tragic incident occurred on November 7, 2025, aboard the Carnival Horizon during a family cruise that departed from Miami.

According to federal prosecutors, surveillance video showed Hudson and Kepner alone together in a cabin for approximately three hours. Kepner’s body was later discovered concealed under a bed in the stateroom she was sharing with Hudson and another minor. An autopsy determined the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation, consistent with strangulation. Prosecutors say Hudson’s DNA was found on her body.

Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, has expressed outrage over Hudson remaining free while awaiting trial, stating there have been “no consequences for his actions.” The family had been on the cruise with Hudson’s mother (Anna’s stepmother), grandparents, and a younger stepsister.

Hudson was initially charged as a juvenile in February 2026 and has been living with an uncle under electronic monitoring and supervised release. Following his indictment as an adult in April, prosecutors pushed for detention, citing the severity of the alleged crimes. However, on Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres allowed him to remain free for now, pending further review of housing logistics with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Hudson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial is currently scheduled for June 1, 2026, in Miami, though some reports indicate a possible later date in September.

The case has shocked the nation, highlighting concerns over family dynamics, cruise ship security, and the rare prosecution of minors as adults in federal court. Anna Kepner, a recent high school graduate from Titusville, Florida, was remembered by loved ones as a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short.