Latest news with #Azaeliyah
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘I really thought she was safe,' Aunt of dead North Shore girl speaks out
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The aunt of a North Shore girl who died after authorities said she was severely abused told KHON2 she thought the girl's adoptive parents were the perfect fit and the girl would be safe. Instead, she's left with so many questions. Relatives of 11-year-old Azaeliyah Pili Ah You can't believe she's gone and wish they had done more. Judge denies bail for woman accused of beating adopted daughter to death 'We weren't in the best place to take her at the time, like she could have struggled with us and still been alive,' said Hai Acevedo, Azaeliyah's aunt. 'You know, like we would have been able to make it happen.' Azaeliyah died in December 2023. Her adoptive mother, Sina Pili, is charged with manslaughter, accused of beating her to death. 'I really thought that she was safe,' said Acevedo. 'I never would have thought any of this would have happened.' Hai Acevedo is Azaeliyah's aunt. Cousins with her biological mom, who passed away a few years ago. She's also related to Pili's husband, Davis Pili, who has not been arrested or charged in connection with this case. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Even Acevedo admits that on paper, the Pilis were the perfect fit. Davis Pili is a bailiff whose family is well-known in the community. Sina Pili was a teacher in the DOE and was working on her PhD while raising Azaeliyah and four other adopted children. During her bail hearing, Pili's attorney, Miles Breiner, asked the court-appointed guardian about Pili's relationship with her four other adopted children. 'Is there any evidence whatsoever that the children have ever been abused? None,' replied Sheri Ritter, attorney/guardian ad Litem. 'Any evidence that the children have ever been malnourished? None. Tortured? No. Are the kids, based on you being the GAL, would you describe them as thriving? Absolutely.' 'If you couldn't handle her after you took her in, why adopt her?' asked Acevedo. 'Why even take those steps to keep her if you couldn't handle it, like, I just don't. She would have been better off waiting for us in the system until somebody was ready to take her.' Acevedo currently lives on the Big Island, but lived near Azaeliyah for years. She said her oldest daughter and Azaeliyah were like two peas in a pod growing up. Now, she has to explain why her cousin is gone.'It's just so sad because kids are so innocent, and you try to preserve the innocence in them, you know, and having to tell them that their cousin died like that was the hardest thing that I had to do,' said Acevedo. Pili's trial is scheduled for May. 'What do you hope the outcome is? I hope she goes to jail,' said Acevedo. 'I hope she gets stuck in jail. I do, I hope justice is served.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘We want to have every tool available to prosecute them': Lawmakers to hear bill that would make torture a felony
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A bill that would make torture a Class A felony offense has strong support from city prosecutors and law enforcement. But critics warn it could lead to prosecutorial overreach. Two recent child death cases have put the spotlight on horrific acts of extreme, prolonged suffering, leading many to argue that Senate Bill 281 is needed. Honolulu Police echoed the support for the bill after last week's arrest of Sina Pili for the death of her adopted daughter. Woman arrested in connection to manslaughter of adopted child 'Passing Senate Bill 281 will equip law enforcement with necessary tools to intervene effectively and hold offenders fully accountable. Right now, without this law, we are failing children like Azaeliyah,' said Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes. Senate Bill 281 defines torture as the act of causing serious bodily injury to another person within the actor's custody or physical control, suspending the minor or vulnerable person by the wrists, ankles, arms, legs, hair or other parts of the body, and forcing the victim to remain in an area unsuitable for human habitation, such as an area where urine or feces are actively present. Prosecutors are also looking to amend the bill to include starvation, saying it would give them a stronger legal tool to ensure justice in cases of prolonged abuse.'There are some sick people out there who starve their kids or foster kids and we want to have every tool available to prosecute them,' said Steve Alm, Honolulu prosecuting attorney. Those who support the bill say it would enable law enforcement to act sooner rather than later. 'When they find kids in this situation they don't have to find a bruise, but if they see they've lost a tremendous amount of weight they'll know, if this bill gets amended as we're hoping, it will give them a reason and probable cause to be able to make arrests, to get the kid out of that situation,' Alm said. But the Office of the Public Defender opposes the bill, arguing that existing laws already allow prosecutors to charge extreme abuse adequately. In testimony, they warn the bill's language is too broad and could lead to confusion and possible wrongful convictions. However, prosecutors say the length of time it takes to bring these types of cases to trial, including Isabella Kalua, Geanna Bradley and Peter Boy Kema, which can sometimes take up to a year, demonstrate the care they would take to ensure the investigation is thorough. 'We want to make sure we're charging the right person and we have all the evidence we need to successfully prosecute these cases,' said Tiffany Kaeo, deputy prosecuting attorney and Family Division chief. Senate Bill 281 is scheduled for a hearing on the morning of Feb. 11 before the House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman arrested in connection to manslaughter of adopted child
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Honolulu police held a news conference at HPD's Main Station to address an arrest made in a 2023 child manslaughter case involving an 11-year-old girl. According to Lt. Deena Thoemmes, the child's 35-year-old adoptive mother, Sina Pili, was arrested on Friday, March 7 in connection to the death of Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You. Family member of dead Kapolei toddler files lawsuit against state She was arrested on Friday, March 7 on a grand jury bench warrant for manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor and persistent nonsupport. On Dec. 22, 2023, Honolulu police and firefighters responded to a report of an unresponsive female at a home in Lāʻie. Upon arrival, first responders found Azaeliyah's adoptive father attempting to administer life-saving care to her body, who said she fell in the shower. Firefighters then took over before bringing her to an area emergency room where she was pronounced said responding police officers found Azaeliyah with bruises to various parts of her body, including her face. 'After extensive testing, review of medical records and investigative findings, the forensic pathologist determined that the cause of Azaeliyah's death to be multiple injuries from child abuse and the manner of death to be homicide,' said Lt. Thoemmes. Lt. Thoemmes added Azaeliyah suffered from extensive bruising, some of which penetrated the skin and could be seen reaching the diaphragm, multiple abrasions from her head to her legs, wounds to the nose, internal injuries likely from strangulation and more. The Department of the Prosecuting Attorney said Pili will be in HPD custody pending transfer to Circuit Court for Arraignment on March 13. Check out more news from around Hawaii Anyone who may see a child in need of help should call the Child Abuse Reporting Line at (808) 832-5300. For neighboring islands, call (888) 380-3088. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
