A nine-year-old child was allegedly attacked by a drunk couple who pushed into their family's cruise cabin after being asked to quiet down, according to police in Florida.
The incident took place on Saturday evening (August 15) onboard a cruise ship, police in America said. Ohio duo Gannon Jacox, 29, and girlfriend Brooklyn Hicks, 28, are now in custody, reports the New York Post.
Charges filed after brawl
Both have now been charged with multiple offences, Brevard County sheriff Wayne Ivey said, who published a statement about the events onboard.
Jacox and Hicks were 'apparently arguing quite loudly' after consuming alcohol, Ivey said. One of the victims then asked the pair to quiet down, sparking a melee.
"Hicks apparently didn’t like the request so she decided to go confront them. Jacox then decides it’s a great idea to walk over with his cell phone and start recording the incident as he tells Hicks to beat them up!," Ivey added.
Suspects pushed into victims' room
"The suspects then pushed their way into the victims room, which included a nine-year-old child that was inside the room! As a fight ensued Jacox ends up hitting all three people (including the child) and Hicks was just swinging, hoping one would land."
While none of the alleged assault victims were seriously hurt, Jacox suffered a 'pretty gross injury to his eye', the statement continued.
Jacox has been remanded in custody on charges of Burglary With A Battery and Child Abuse Without Great Bodily Harm, while Hicks was charged with Burglary With Battery and Battery-Touch/Strike, Ivey said.
Location and vessel
Brevard County, 40 miles east of Orlando, is home to the Kennedy Space Centre and Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise ports on the planet. Cruise ships from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, and Princess all call there.
The identity of the vessel Jacox and Hicks were guests of has not yet been disclosed.
