MIAMI — A federal judge declined to jail a 16-year-old Florida boy accused of murdering and sexually assaulting his stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship last year, allowing him to remain in the custody of a family member while he awaits trial on adult charges.
U.S. District Court Judge Edwin Torres made the decision Wednesday after hearing arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys. The ruling keeps Timothy Hudson out of detention in Miami-Dade County despite his April indictment by a federal grand jury on charges related to the death of Anna Kepner.
“If it were a 20 year old under the exact circumstances I probably would have detained,” Torres said during the hearing. “The presumption would be we were just not going to take that chance. This is a different animal.”
Hudson has been free since the November 7, 2025, slaying of Kepner, who was found dead in their shared cabin on the ship. He was initially charged as a juvenile and permitted to live with an uncle in Hernando County. The shift to adult charges raised the possibility of pretrial detention.
Torres cited the practical difficulties of housing Hudson far from his family as one factor in his decision. The judge indicated he wanted more information about options for detention closer to Hernando County before considering jail time.
Government lawyer Alejandra Lopez argued strongly for detention, calling Hudson “a danger to the community” and questioning how authorities could ensure he would not reoffend. She pointed out that two minors live in the uncle’s home where Hudson is staying. “What is needed to probe a danger? A second dead body?” Lopez asked the court.
Public defender Evan Kuhl countered that Hudson poses no flight risk or danger to the public. He noted that the teenager has followed all conditions of his release for several months without incident. Lopez responded that the delay in charging Hudson stemmed from the time needed to gather evidence, not from any prior knowledge of charges on his part.
Under the current conditions, Hudson may only leave his residence with his uncle or aunt and must wear an electronic monitor. The November cruise included Kepner’s father, her stepmother, and two of her children, including Hudson. Kepner’s father and Hudson’s mother had married in December 2024.
Kepner’s body was discovered wrapped in a blanket and hidden under a bed in the cabin, concealed by life vests. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by mechanical asphyxiation. Hudson was arrested while the ship was still in international waters en route to Miami.
Chris Kepner, Anna’s father and Hudson’s stepfather, stated after the indictment became public that “justice needs to be served.” Anna Kepner was a high school senior and cheerleader who planned to attend the University of Georgia. Her obituary described her as bubbly and outgoing, and the family requested no GoFundMe page for her funeral.
Hudson was hospitalized after the ship docked and has been receiving counseling, according to a lawyer for his mother. Prosecutors said Wednesday that his trial could begin as early as September.
The case has drawn attention because of the family relationship between the accused and the victim, as well as the location of the alleged crime on a cruise ship in international waters. Hudson’s age at the time of the incident has also factored into court considerations about detention.
Officials have not released additional details about the evidence gathered during the investigation. The defense maintains that Hudson is not a risk to others while prosecutors continue to emphasize the seriousness of the charges.