Teenager Accused in Sister’s Death Granted Release Pending Trial
MIAMI — A federal judge on Wednesday opted against incarcerating a Florida teenager accused of killing and sexually assaulting his step-sister. Instead, the court allowed him to be supervised by a family member as he awaits trial.
Timothy Hudson, 16, has been free since November 7, 2025, following the death of his step-sister, Anna Kepner, aboard a Carnival cruise ship. Initially charged as a juvenile, Hudson was allowed to live with his uncle due to his age. However, in April, a federal grand jury indicted him as an adult, raising the possibility of detainment during the pre-trial period.
U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres noted the complexities of the case: “If it were a 20-year-old boy under those exact circumstances, we probably would have taken him into custody,” he remarked, indicating that they had not fully capitalized on the opportunity to detain him.
Hudson’s potential detention in Miami-Dade County posed travel challenges for his family, who reside hundreds of miles away in Hernando County. Judge Torres expressed concerns that incarceration would hinder the family’s ability to support him during this difficult period.
During the hearing, government attorney Alejandra Lopez argued that Hudson poses a “danger to the community,” emphasizing the need for safeguards given the presence of two minor children in his uncle’s home. She poignantly questioned, “What do we need to prove danger? A second corpse?”
In his defense, public defender Evan Kuhl contended that Hudson poses no threat to society or risk of flight, citing his compliance with release conditions over the previous months. However, Lopez countered, arguing that the extended period taken to charge Hudson following Kepner’s death indicated the serious nature of the allegations against him.
Hudson’s release comes with strict conditions: he is permitted to leave only in the company of his uncle or aunt and must wear electronic monitoring to ensure compliance with the court’s restrictions. The circumstances surrounding Anna Kepner’s death are tragic; she was found deceased in Hudson’s cabin, leading to heightened scrutiny of the case.
