An Ohio couple was detained after authorities alleged they forced their way into a family’s cruise ship cabin and attacked two adults and a 9-year-old child when asked to quiet down. Gannon Jacox, 29, and his girlfriend, Brooklyn Hicks, 28, were arrested after their ship returned to Port Canaveral, Florida. This was reported by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Jacox and Hicks were reportedly arguing loudly after consuming alcohol. When one of the victims requested them to lower their volume, they reacted aggressively. According to Sheriff Ivey, Hicks confronted the victim while Jacox recorded the interaction on his cellphone and encouraged Hicks to engage in violence.
Authorities state that the couple then forced their way into the family’s cabin where the child was present. A fight broke out, during which Jacox struck all three victims including the child. Hicks, meanwhile, threw punches indiscriminately, hoping to connect.
‘Heavily intoxicated’ man arrested after allegedly beating children aboard Carnival cruise ship, police say.
Jacox faced charges of burglary with battery and child abuse without causing significant harm. Hicks was charged with burglary with battery and battery-touch/strike. Both charges relate to the alleged physical assault on the family.
Jacox sustained an eye injury, which Sheriff Ivey speculated might have resulted from Hicks’ indiscriminate swinging or possibly from resistance by one of the victims. Fortunately, none of the victims suffered serious injuries. Authorities did not disclose which cruise ship was involved in the incident.
Four different ships were scheduled to dock at Port Canaveral on the day of the incident: Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure, and the Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras and Carnival Freedom. It remains unclear which ship Jacox and Hicks were passengers on.
Sheriff Ivey used this incident to caution cruise guests against excessive drinking and unruly behavior. He stated, “If you can’t control your alcohol intake, avoid causing disturbances in public that harm others, including children.” Furthermore, he warned visitors to avoid such conduct in Brevard County.