Stepmom fights for custody of younger child after teen's cruise ship death

Weeks following the unexpected death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner on a cruise ship, and amid court filings naming her stepbrother as a "suspect," the boy's mother appeared in court to fight for custody of her younger child.

Kepner passed away on the Carnival Horizon last November during a Caribbean trip with her father, stepmother, grandparents, and siblings. Her death certificate, shared with ABC News by her family, listed the cause as "mechanical asphyxiation by another person(s)." Authorities have not yet released an autopsy report or confirmed whether they consider the death a homicide.

The FBI and the local medical examiners office have not provided statements regarding the investigation. Kepners family remembers her as a cheerful, academically accomplished teen with a promising future.

In the ongoing custody dispute, Thomas and Shauntel Hudson have filed court documents identifying their minor son, Annas stepbrother, as a suspect in her death. During a hearing in Brevard County, Florida, the judge ruled that the youngest child is not in immediate danger by remaining in the care of Shauntel Hudson and Chris Kepner, Anna's father.

The stepbrother has been staying with Shauntel Hudson's relatives since the family returned from the cruise. Her attorney stated that it is unclear how long he will remain there, as the FBI continues its investigation into Anna's death. Court filings also note that officials are awaiting toxicology results and conducting psychological evaluations.

Author: Grace Ellison