Anna Kepner’s grieving dad has branded the 16-year-old stepbrother accused of murdering and sexually abusing her a ‘danger’ to the public – telling the Daily Mail: ‘I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit.’

Christopher Kepner said his family are outraged by a court’s decision to let Timothy Hudson live with a relative instead of being locked up ahead of his federal trial.

He also said the boy is yet to apologize or show any sign of remorse for killing bubbly 18-year-old Anna.

‘We’re upset that he’s still out. We’re six months in and he should already have been arrested and yet he’s free to do whatever he wants right now,’ Christopher told the Daily Mail.

‘That’s our problem. He’s been able to do whatever he wants and go where he wants but the family’s been sitting here unable to do anything.

‘I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. He does not need to be free. He does not need to be in the general public, around any kids or women in general.

‘He’s in a danger to himself and a danger to others.’

Christopher said he and his wife Shauntel – Timothy’s mom – have not spoken to the boy since December when he was placed in the care of a paternal uncle.

The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner is (seen arriving in federal court in February) has been unmasked as Timothy Hudson after being charged as an adult in her murder
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The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner is (seen arriving in federal court in February) has been unmasked as Timothy Hudson after being charged as an adult in her murder

The charges were announced Monday, with prosecutors alleging Timothy Hudson 'sexually assaulted and intentionally killed' stepsister Anna in November 2025
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The charges were announced Monday, with prosecutors alleging Timothy Hudson ‘sexually assaulted and intentionally killed’ stepsister Anna in November 2025

‘He’s still saying that he can’t remember and that’s about it. He hasn’t apologized. He hasn’t shown any remorse for anything,’ Christopher added.

The charges were announced late Monday morning by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

A statement said Timothy had ‘allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed’ Anna.

‘Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,’ said US Attorney Jason Reding Quinones.

‘A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.

‘We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care.

‘As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.’

The release said Timothy – referred to by his initial TH – was initially charged as a juvenile on February 2.

The high school senior, from Titusville, Florida, was on a six-day Carnival cruise to the Caribbean with her family when she was found dead onboard between Mexico and Florida on November 7
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The high school senior, from Titusville, Florida, was on a six-day Carnival cruise to the Caribbean with her family when she was found dead onboard between Mexico and Florida on November 7

A maid aboard the Carnival cruise was the one to find Anna's body wrapped in a blanket, covered over with life jackets and stuffed under a bed, according to our sources, who spoke under condition of anonymity
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A maid aboard the Carnival cruise was the one to find Anna’s body wrapped in a blanket, covered over with life jackets and stuffed under a bed, according to our sources, who spoke under condition of anonymity

Speaking to the Daily Mail in the wake of the indictment, Christopher Kepner (pictured with wife Shauntel) branded Timothy a 'danger to the public' and demanded he be locked up ahead of trial
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Speaking to the Daily Mail in the wake of the indictment, Christopher Kepner (pictured with wife Shauntel) branded Timothy a ‘danger to the public’ and demanded he be locked up ahead of trial

The case remained sealed until US District Judge Beth Bloom ordered it transferred for adult prosecution.

‘An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,’ said Assistant US Attorney Alejandra Lopez, who is prosecuting the case.

An indictment filed March 10 but unsealed today describes Anna’s slaying as a ‘willful, deliberate, malicious, and premeditated killing … with malice aforethought.’

She died ‘during the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, an aggravated sexual abuse,’ the four-page complaint states.

Referring to the defendant by his initials, TH, it says he ‘did knowingly cause, and attempt to cause, a person, that is, AK, to engage in a sexual act, that is, by causing contact between his penis and AK’s vulva by vaginally penetrating AK with his penis.’

The document says TH faces possible life imprisonment, five years of supervision after his eventual release and a fine of up to $250,000 on both charges. It also confirms that Timothy is not eligible for the death penalty.

Timothy Hudson will be tried as an adult in federal court, although he cannot face the death penalty because he was a juvenile at the time of the alleged slaying.

He was the only person inside the room with cheerleader Anna, 18, when she was allegedly killed by asphyxiation five months ago aboard the Carnival Horizon.

Anna's father Christopher was in court supporting the boy's mother ¿ Anna's stepmom ¿ Shauntel, at a hearing in Florida on December 5
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Anna’s father Christopher was in court supporting the boy’s mother – Anna’s stepmom – Shauntel, at a hearing in Florida on December 5

He has made several closed-door court appearances in the past month with journalists barred from covering the case because of his age.

Up until now, all records had remained under seal, with federal officials refusing to confirm or deny that a prosecution was underway.

Anna of Titusville, Florida, was pronounced dead at 11.17am on November 7 while the 133,000-ton Horizon was en route from Mexico to Florida.

The Daily Mail was the first outlet to report that her body was found stuffed under a bed in the cabin she was sharing with her stepbrother and 14-year-old half-brother.

She had been wrapped in a blanket and covered with life preservers, according to our sources.

Anna had gone to bed early the night before, telling her family during dinner that she was feeling unwell.

While her half-brother wandered around the ship taking photos, she was left alone with her stepbrother who takes medication for ADHD and insomnia.

When the younger boy returned, he didn’t see Anna but assumed she was staying up late with Christopher, Shauntel or their grandparents Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner.

Anna died by asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon and her stepbrother has been considered the sole suspect
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Anna died by asphyxiation aboard the Carnival Horizon and her stepbrother has been considered the sole suspect

The high school senior was on vacation with her father, stepmother, half brother, and step brother Timothy (pictured) at the time of her death
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The high school senior was on vacation with her father, stepmother, half brother, and step brother Timothy (pictured) at the time of her death

He climbed into his bunk and went to sleep – unaware, sources say, that his sister’s body was hidden just feet away.

It wasn’t until the next morning when the two boys headed to breakfast that the family realized Anna was missing.

A medical emergency was announced over the ship’s public address system, prompting Christopher, 41, to rush to her Deck 8 cabin, where a cleaning crew had just discovered the body.

A law enforcement source later told ABC that Anna died from asphyxiation caused by a bar hold, suggesting an arm was pressed across her neck.

FBI agents swarmed the ship, interviewed the family and scoured CCTV cameras when the Horizon returned to Miami on November 8.

Timothy insisted he could not remember what took place in the cabin, according to sources.

But the boy’s alleged involvement leaked out in court filings in a custody dispute between Shauntel and her ex-husband Thomas Hudson, 37.

They both referred to their son as a ‘suspect’ in court documents – with one filing describing Anna’s death as a ‘suspected murder’.

The unsealed indictment states Anna, 18, died 'during the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, an aggravated sexual abuse'
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The unsealed indictment states Anna, 18, died ‘during the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, an aggravated sexual abuse’

Thomas had sought emergency custody of their young daughter, claiming Shauntel took the kids on the ill-fated cruise without his permission – and even let the older children drink alcohol, an accusation she denied.

A Brevard County judge ruled that the girl was not in any danger and could remain with Shauntel and Christopher so long as Timothy was living elsewhere.

The couple had already removed him from their blended household in Titusville and placed him with a relative while the FBI investigation played out.

His location was redacted in court documents but when the Daily Mail traced the skinny, blond-haired teen to a relative’s rural Florida home he would only say: ‘I’d rather not talk.’