A federal judge in Florida has ordered that 16-year-old Timothy Hudson, accused of killing his stepsister on a cruise ship and sexual assault, remain in custody until his trial.
The decision reversed a previous arrangement that allowed Hudson to stay with an uncle while awaiting trial. U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres wrote that house arrest, electronic monitoring, or other protective measures would not eliminate the risk posed.
Hudson was indicted as an adult earlier this year and denies charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.
Judge Torres noted that Hudson had no prior criminal record and had complied with release conditions. However, the ruling stated that the allegations suggest a serious lack of remorse and a potential for sudden behavior.
According to court documents, Kepner’s father and Hudson’s mother married in December 2024. Hudson is alleged to have committed the murder during a family vacation about 11 months after his stepsister’s death.
Anna Kepner’s body was found in the cabin she shared with her stepsister. It was reported that the young woman was discovered under the bed, wrapped in a blanket and concealed with life jackets.
The judge’s ruling noted that a forensic expert concluded Kepner was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. Hudson was placed in Citrus County jail, is expected to be transferred to Miami by July 10, and his trial is planned to begin in September.
Kepner was a high school senior and cheerleader who aimed to attend the University of Georgia. Her father remembered her as a "beautiful, bright young woman" with many dreams and milestones ahead.