Ohio couple arrested after cabin brawl on cruise ship strikes child

An Ohio couple was arrested on Saturday, August 15, 2026, after authorities say a noise complaint aboard a cruise ship escalated into a violent confrontation inside another family's cabin, leaving a 9-year-old child among those struck. Gannon Jacox, 29, and his girlfriend, Brooklyn Hicks, 28, were taken into custody at Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, following the incident.

According to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, the altercation began after Jacox and Hicks were arguing loudly while drinking alcohol. One of the victims asked the pair to quiet down, which prompted Hicks to confront them outside their cabin door. Jacox allegedly accompanied her, recording the encounter on his cell phone and encouraging Hicks to "beat them up."

The situation then escalated when the couple allegedly forced their way into the victims' stateroom, where a 9-year-old child was present. Authorities state that Jacox struck all three occupants during the ensuing fight, while Hicks repeatedly swung at the adults. Jacox sustained a visible injury to his eye during the brawl, which the sheriff's office noted could have been caused by a victim or by "friendly fire" from Hicks's punches.