A 69-year-old American grandmother has returned to Oklahoma after an online fundraising campaign secured her release from Bahamian custody for unintentionally carrying a firearm aboard a cruise ship. Mary Robinson of Sand Springs was apprehended by Interpol officers in New Providence earlier this month when authorities discovered a concealed Kel-Tec .380 pistol and four rounds of ammunition during a baggage inspection at Prince George Wharf.
The incident occurred on December 2 when Robinson returned from a shore excursion during a Royal Caribbean cruise intended to celebrate her adopted son’s 12th birthday. According to family statements, the grandmother typically carried personal protection while traveling but ordinarily left the weapon in her vehicle when boarding cruise ships. This time, however, she inadvertently brought the firearm aboard Liberty of the Seas.
Robinson’s granddaughter, Graci Exendine, initiated a GoFundMe campaign on December 3 that ultimately raised over $12,000—substantially exceeding the $8,000 fine imposed by Bahamian authorities for possession of ammunition. The family described the situation as requiring “a miracle” in their fundraising appeal.
Legal representatives indicated Robinson suffers from early dementia and explained that the firearm had been a gift from her aunt approximately five decades ago. The weapon reportedly went undetected by security personnel at Port Everglades when Robinson initially boarded the vessel on December 1, but was discovered during screening procedures in Nassau.
After pleading guilty to firearms offenses and paying the court-imposed penalty, Robinson was released from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services following three to four days in custody. The Royal Bahamas Police Force has confirmed that investigations into the matter remain ongoing.