The tragic case surrounding the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner has unfolded further with recent courtroom developments. Kepner's death, which occurred aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship on Nov. 7 and was ruled a homicide by mechanical asphyxiation, has now been intertwined with a custody dispute involving her father, Christopher Kepner. On Nov. 25, Christopher was subpoenaed to appear in a Dec. 5 family court hearing regarding an emergency custody issue between his current wife, Shauntel Hudson – also known as Shauntel Kepner – and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, as reported by NTD.
Amidst the ongoing FBI investigation, this custody dispute has brought to light that the couple's 16-year-old child has become a person of interest though no official suspect has been named. This teenager, who is currently receiving counseling and was hospitalized following the cruise incident, is tangled in a legal battle, with Thomas Hudson seeking custody of their youngest 9-year-old child. Thomas's efforts are bolstered by claims of insufficient supervision on the cruise ship and allegations of the mother permitting underage drinking in international waters, as per Jacksonville.com.
Thomas’s attorney has cited the need for "appropriate supervision" over the children, indicating concerns over Shauntel's judgment. However, during a meeting at the family court, Shauntel's attorney noted that "The FBI has cleared my client from any wrongdoing; she’s not considered a suspect in this matter at all," according to a NTD interview.
Additionally, the case has gained national attention, leading to a request by Shauntel's attorney to seal the case and prevent further media coverage. Nevertheless, the judge presiding over the matter noted that multiple media outlets were present during the preliminary court proceedings, as FOX 35 Orlando reports. The contentious custody dispute has dragged Anna Kepner's family back into the spotlight, as the unresolved circumstances of her death continue to raise more questions than answers.
In the midst of this challenging time, the judge has advised caution regarding compelling the Kepner's 16-year-old relative to testify, given the surrounding circumstances of Anna’s passing. Thomas's attorney indicated that Thomas may opt not to have his son take the stand. Winter Park-based Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas, who is not involved with the case mentioned to FOX 35 Orlando that subpoenas are common practice to ensure the presence of individuals in court or to have them provide testimony.
