A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a 16-year-old Titusville teen accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister during a family cruise will remain free pending his September trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres denied federal prosecutors' request to place the teen in pretrial detention, despite the case being handled in adult court. The teen, who has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, is currently in the custody of his uncle and has been working with his father since entering a not guilty plea in April.
The murder trial was initially scheduled to begin June 1 but was postponed until September. Prosecutors said Anna Kepner, the teen's stepsister, was found dead November 7, 2025, in the cruise ship cabin she shared with the accused and a 10-year-old male sibling. Her biological father and stepmother were staying in another cabin on the ship. The teen's case was moved to adult court after he was indicted in April on charges related to the death of the high school senior.
Federal prosecutors had argued the teen should be held in pretrial detention, citing the severity of the charges. However, Judge Torres ruled against that, noting there are no federal juvenile holding facilities in Florida. The teen could have been placed in a state-run juvenile facility if detained, but he remains free under the supervision of his uncle. No name has been released for the teen due to his age.
The case has drawn attention in Brevard County, where the teen and his family reside. Neighbors said the family had no prior criminal history. The cruise ship's name and location have not been disclosed, but investigators have said the incident occurred during a family vacation. The trial is expected to focus on the events leading to Kepner's death and the teen's alleged actions in the cabin.