Ohio Couple Arrested After Allegedly Barging Into Cruise Cabin and Attacking Family, 9-Year-Old Child

An Ohio couple was arrested after allegedly forcing their way into a family’s cruise ship cabin and attacking three people, including a 9-year-old child, following a confrontation over their loud behavior.

Gannon Jacox, 29, and his girlfriend Brooklyn Hicks, 28, were arrested Saturday evening after their unidentified cruise ship returned to Port Canaveral in Florida.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said the trouble began when Jacox and Hicks were loudly arguing after consuming alcohol. One of the eventual victims reportedly asked the couple to quiet down, prompting the pair to confront the person outside the family’s cabin.

Authorities allege the confrontation quickly escalated when Jacox and Hicks pushed their way into the cabin. Once inside, Jacox allegedly began physically attacking two adults as well as their 9-year-old child.

Ivey said Jacox ended up striking all three family members during the fight. Hicks allegedly joined the melee by wildly swinging punches in an apparent attempt to hit members of the family.

Jacox suffered a significant injury to his eye during the altercation. The sheriff joked that investigators were unsure whether the injury came from one of the victims defending themselves or from an accidental punch thrown by Hicks.

Despite the chaotic confrontation, authorities said none of the three family members suffered serious injuries.

Jacox was charged with burglary with battery and child abuse without great bodily harm. Hicks was charged with burglary with battery as well as battery by touching or striking. Both were booked into the Brevard County Jail.

Jacox was being held on $31,000 bond, while Hicks’ bond was set at $6,000. The allegations against both suspects remain to be adjudicated in court.

Authorities have not identified which cruise ship the couple was aboard. Four major ships were scheduled at Port Canaveral that Saturday, but officials have not connected the incident to any particular vessel.

Ivey blamed the bizarre episode on alcohol combined with what he described as an “apparent lack of common sense.” He also issued a warning to visitors that Brevard County authorities will not tolerate people getting drunk and attacking others.

The incident turned what should have been a vacation into a violent confrontation for one family. Jacox and Hicks now face criminal charges after authorities say a simple request to keep the noise down escalated into the pair allegedly forcing their way into a private cabin and attacking two adults and a 9-year-old child.