An Alabama woman and her son are at the center of a disturbing incident onboard an MSC cruise ship after allegedly assaulting an older passenger. The altercation, captured on surveillance video, led to the son being ejected from the ship in Jamaica for what authorities have described as “excessive behavior.”
Kelli Lyn Ryan, 49, and her son, Dylan Ryan, were reportedly involved in the Oct. 6 altercation on an MSC cruise departing from Miami, as first reported by Local10. Footage allegedly shows the pair striking the older passenger during an argument onboard the ship.
The situation escalated to such a degree that Dylan was removed from the MSC Seascape at its first stop in Falmouth, Jamaica, the following day. Authorities did not specify what led to the decision, only citing his “excessive behavior.”
Despite her son’s removal, Kelli Ryan was permitted to continue the week-long cruise, which made stops at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico, and MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay, in the Bahamas.
However, upon the ship’s return to Miami on Saturday, Oct. 12, Kelli was promptly arrested by Miami-Dade police. She now faces charges of battery against a person aged 65 or older, a serious offense under Florida law.
According to surveillance footage obtained by authorities, the violent incident unfolded in the ship’s two-deck theater around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 6. The ship’s deputy chief of security told police that Dylan was also seen hitting the victim multiple times.
What triggered the dispute remains unclear, and police have not disclosed whether the Ryans and the victim knew each other prior to the cruise.
As of now, MSC Cruises and Miami-Dade police have not issued any further statements on the matter.
Discover more from Next Gen News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.