Couple arrested after ‘getting drunk and punching boy, 9, on cruise ship’

A couple were arrested as their cruise ship docked after allegedly boozing, forcing their way into a family’s cabin and punching a nine-year-old boy during a chaotic brawl

A couple were arrested as their cruise ship docked after allegedly getting drunk, forcing their way into a family’s cabin – and punching a nine-year-old boy during a chaotic brawl.

Gannon Jacox, 29, and his girlfriend Brooklyn Hicks, 28, from Ohio, USA, were taken into custody on Saturday (August 15) at Port Canaveral in Florida by Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies. Both now face multiple charges, including serious felonies.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the pair were “arguing loudly after taking advantage of some adult beverages” in a ship hallway when a neighbouring passenger stepped out and asked them to quiet down. That’s when things allegedly spiralled.

Hicks allegedly became furious and confronted the neighbour, while Jacox allegedly followed behind filming on his phone and egging her on to “beat them up”. Moments later, the pair are accused of pushing their way past the door and barging into the neighbour’s private stateroom.

Inside were two adults and their nine-year-old child, the Independent reported. Sheriff Ivey said Jacox “began swinging wildly” during the fight and struck all three.

“As a fight ensued Jacox ends up hitting all 3 people (including the child) and Hicks was just swinging, hoping one would land,” Ivey wrote. In the brawl, Jacox ended up with a badly swollen and bruised eye, which are visible in his mugshot.

Gross injury

The sheriff reportedly said he took a hit to the face and suggested the injury may have come from the victims fighting back or from his own partner. “Jacox got a pretty gross injury to his eye, that was either caused by one of the victims or friendly fire from the Haymakers his girlfriend was throwing!” Ivey wrote.

Despite the violence, the sheriff said the family were lucky. He noted none of the victims were “seriously injured in this ridiculous escapade”, although one victim was left with visible red marks on her face.

Ship staff reportedly managed to contain the situation until the vessel returned to Florida, where deputies were waiting at the terminal to arrest the pair. According to official jail records, Jacox is charged with felony burglary with assault or battery, felony child abuse without great bodily harm, and misdemeanor battery.

His bond was set at $31,000 (about £24,000), USA Today reported. Hicks is charged with felony burglary with assault or battery and misdemeanor battery, with bond set at $6,000 (about £4,700).

Authorities have confirmed the alleged incident happened on a ship docking at Port Canaveral, but have not publicly named the cruise line or vessel. Sheriff Ivey issued a blunt warning to holidaymakers: “The moral of the story…if you can’t hold your liquor, then you definitely shouldn’t be out in public causing a scene like this and injuring random people including a child!!”

He added: “And if that memo is not clear enough for you then you might want to stay your butt out of Brevard County!!”

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