Federal Juvenile Justice

A 16-year-old stepbrother who shared a cabin with Anna Kepner appeared in sealed federal juvenile court in Miami last week in connection with her death aboard the Carnival Horizon, but there is no public docket entry or indication of charges because juvenile proceedings are sealed. Kepner’s death has been ruled a homicide and the case is in federal court due to occurring in international waters; legal experts say juvenile cases in federal court are rare and not geared toward rehabilitation, and her family said they are disturbed that the person they believe responsible remains free.