An Ohio couple has been charged after allegedly forcing their way into a family's cruise cabin and attacking a nine-year-old, following a loud argument.
Gannon Jacox, 29, and girlfriend Brooklyn Hicks, 28, were arrested in Florida on Saturday evening (August 15) after the altercation onboard a cruise ship, according to reports. Both have now been charged with multiple offences, Brevard County sheriff Wayne Ivey said.
Argument over noise leads to attack
Jacox and Hicks were 'arguing quite loudly' after consuming alcohol, Ivey said in a statement on Facebook. 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 victim's room
“The suspects then pushed their way into the victim's room, which included a nine-year-old child who 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.
Charges and context
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.
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.
