Latest news with #DeenaThoemmes
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
HPD arrests 2 in connection with death of 3 year old
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Two women have been arrested in connection with the death of a three-year-old girl, including the child's biological have identified the suspects as 25-year-old Janae Perez, the child's mother, and her partner, 33-year-old Ashleigh Utley. The pair was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Kalihi area. They have not been charged. Both women were booked on suspicion of murder, kidnapping, assault and other offenses. Signs of child abuse to look out for, how you can help On June 13, 2024, Honolulu police said officers responded to reports of an unresponsive child, later identified as Sarai Perez-Riviera, on Kekuilani Loop in Kapolei. 'Upon arriving at the home, first responders found Sarai malnourished and pulseless with ashen skin and bruises to her legs, hips, arms, face, back and head. There were also abrasions and scab wounds on her hand and back,' said Lt. Deena Thoemmes, Honolulu Police Department. Honolulu EMS and HFD paramedics administered lifesaving care before transporting her to The Queen's Medical Center West where she was pronounced dead. At the time, HPD classified the incident as an unattended death. Further investigation, additional testing and medical information helped reclassify the case as murder in the second degree. 'Through the investigation, it was learned that Janae and Ashleigh limited Sarai and [her siblings] intake of water and food. They did not allow them to eat off them and only allowed them to drink eight ounces of water a day,' Lt. Thoemmes added. 'Their Kapolei residence possessed sufficient food supply to their children, but they chose not to.' On Feb. 24, 2025, a forensic pathologist confirmed that Sarai's cause of death was due to dehydration and starvation. 'She had a low body weight and a low body mass index, placing her in the third percentile for her age. These are findings indicative of chronic child abuse and neglect.' In a statement, the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Branch Division Administrators said they are heartbroken over the tragic loss of this child. CWS works with law enforcement and respects the need for confidentiality as the investigation in the case continues. There are currently two companion bills before the legislature that directly addresses children. Cases like Sarai highlight the urgent need of the passage of Senate Bill 281 and House Bill 388. Child torture is insidious. It is gradual, calculated and systematic, designed to break the victim's will. Our existing framework does not adequately address those acts of torture, making it difficult to hold offenders accountable. Right now without this law, we are failing the victims. Lt. Deena Thoemmes, Honolulu Police Department Check out more news from around Hawaii Lt. Thoemmes added that the passing of the bill will help law enforcement gain necessary tools to intervene effectively and hold others accountable. Anyone who may suspect child abuse or neglect should contact the Child Welfare Services hotline at (808) 832-5300 (Oahu) or (888) 380-3088 (Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Honolulu police arrest four suspects for deadly New Year's Eve fireworks explosion
Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Authorities in Honolulu said they have arrested an additional four people in connection with a deadly New Year's Eve fireworks explosion that killed five people and injured about 20 others. The explosion was set off by fireworks shortly after midnight at a New Year's Eve party held at a residence in the Salt Lake neighborhood, initially killing three people and injuring 26 others, including three juveniles. The death toll climbed to four days later after a 3-year-old injured in the blast died and to five on Tuesday when police said a 29-year-old man who had been flown to an Arizona hospital following the blast, succumbed to his injuries. Lt. Deena Thoemmes of the Honolulu Police Department told reporters during a Thursday press conference that two couples who lived at the home where the explosion occurred were arrested Wednesday afternoon. The suspects were identified only as two men, ages 35 and 32, and two women, ages 38 and 29. They are being held on charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree endangerment of the welfare of a minor and multiple firework offenses, she said. Thoemmes said the four children of the 35-year-old man and the 38-year-old woman arrested Wednesday were injured in the blast, treated at a local hospital and then released. The other couple, the 32-year-old man and 29-year-old woman, had two children at the party, none of whom were injured, she said. With the arrests, a total of six people have been detained in connection to the crime. The first two suspects, also a couple but who did not live at the residence, were released pending investigation, she said, adding that she expects them and others to be charged. Manslaughter, she said, is the most serious charge that may be brought against suspects in the case. She said many people have been interviewed -- some have refused to provide detectives with statements about what happened that night, while others have provided false statements. "They have chosen to protect themselves, instead of being the voice for their loved ones who have died or are currently in critical condition at hospitals," she said. During the investigation, approximately 500 pounds of unused illegal fireworks were recovered from the residence's carport and vehicles of people attending the party.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
Honolulu police have arrested 6 people in connection with deadly New Year's fireworks blast
HONOLULU (AP) — Police arrested a total of six people in connection with a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year's Eve and confiscated 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene of the blast, authorities said Thursday. Police arrested two couples on Wednesday and one couple last Friday, said Honolulu police homicide Lt. Deena Thoemmes said. Police expect to arrest more people, she said. Police were working with prosecutors to file charges but it is taking time due to the number of people arrested, large volume of evidence being examined and fireworks being tested, she said. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'We are recovering more evidence and identifying more individuals. As a result, additional arrests will be forthcoming,' Thoemmes said at a news conference. The explosion killed three women, one man and a 3-year-old boy and injured about 20 others. The tragedy occurred when a lit bundle of mortar-style aerials tipped over and shot into crates of unlit fireworks, causing a rapid-fire series of blasts. All six suspects were arrested on allegations of first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The first two suspects have been released pending investigation. Manslaughter was the most serious potential charge in the case and was being investigated, Thoemmes said. Detectives will study how the fireworks were acquired and will ask the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for help with that part of the investigation, she said. The 500 pounds recovered from the scene were found in the carport and in vehicles belonging to people at the gathering, Thoemmes said. The igniting of illegal fireworks — many of them aerials normally used in professional fireworks shows — has become increasingly common in Hawaii in recent years. People set off fireworks year-round but especially during the year-end holidays. Hawaii authorities have said existing laws are difficult to enforce, in part because the evidence is often incinerated when fireworks are lit. Residents are also often reluctant to testify against their neighbors, making cases difficult to prove in court. The deadly New Year's explosion prompted Gov. Josh Green to propose overhauling fireworks enforcement laws, including creating $300 citations that police could issue to violators. He has also asked lawmakers to enable Class A felony charges and possibly decades in prison for those whose actions with fireworks severely injure or kill people. The state Department of Law Enforcement has asked lawmakers to appropriate $5.2 million to hire eight people and expand a forensic lab to crack down on the persistent rampant smuggling of fireworks. Police said the first two suspects arrested, a man and a woman both 33 years-old, ignited illegal fireworks at the New Year's Eve gathering and allowed their children — ages 15, 10 and 1 — to also light illegal fireworks. The 1-year-old was injured, treated at a hospital and released, police said. Thoemmes said the two other couples arrested Wednesday both lived at the house where the explosion occurred. One couple — a 35-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — allegedly attended the gathering with their four minor children. All four children were injured, taken to a hospital to be treated for their wounds and released. The other couple was a 29-year-old woman and 32-year-old man. Police said they were at the party with their two minor children, who were not injured. Thoemmes said some people initially interviewed by detectives provided false statements. 'Hindering prosecution is a crime and those who do so will face charges,' she said.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- The Independent
Honolulu police have arrested 6 people in connection with deadly New Year's fireworks blast
Police arrested a total of six people in connection with a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year's Eve and confiscated 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene of the blast, authorities said Thursday. Police arrested two couples on Wednesday and one couple last Friday, said Honolulu police homicide Lt. Deena Thoemmes said. Police expect to arrest more people, she said. Police were working with prosecutors to file charges but it is taking time due to the number of people arrested, large volume of evidence being examined and fireworks being tested, she said. 'We are recovering more evidence and identifying more individuals. As a result, additional arrests will be forthcoming,' Thoemmes said at a news conference. The explosion killed three women, one man and a 3-year-old boy and injured about 20 others. The tragedy occurred when a lit bundle of mortar-style aerials tipped over and shot into crates of unlit fireworks, causing a rapid-fire series of blasts. All six suspects were arrested on allegations of first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The first two suspects have been released pending investigation. Manslaughter was the most serious potential charge in the case and was being investigated, Thoemmes said. Detectives will study how the fireworks were acquired and will ask the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for help with that part of the investigation, she said. The 500 pounds recovered from the scene were found in the carport and in vehicles belonging to people at the gathering, Thoemmes said. The igniting of illegal fireworks — many of them aerials normally used in professional fireworks shows — has become increasingly common in Hawaii in recent years. People set off fireworks year-round but especially during the year-end holidays. Hawaii authorities have said existing laws are difficult to enforce, in part because the evidence is often incinerated when fireworks are lit. Residents are also often reluctant to testify against their neighbors, making cases difficult to prove in court. The deadly New Year's explosion prompted Gov. Josh Green to propose overhauling fireworks enforcement laws, including creating $300 citations that police could issue to violators. He has also asked lawmakers to enable Class A felony charges and possibly decades in prison for those whose actions with fireworks severely injure or kill people. The state Department of Law Enforcement has asked lawmakers to appropriate $5.2 million to hire eight people and expand a forensic lab to crack down on the persistent rampant smuggling of fireworks. Police said the first two suspects arrested, a man and a woman both 33 years-old, ignited illegal fireworks at the New Year's Eve gathering and allowed their children — ages 15, 10 and 1 — to also light illegal fireworks. The 1-year-old was injured, treated at a hospital and released, police said. Thoemmes said the two other couples arrested Wednesday both lived at the house where the explosion occurred. One couple — a 35-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — allegedly attended the gathering with their four minor children. All four children were injured, taken to a hospital to be treated for their wounds and released. The other couple was a 29-year-old woman and 32-year-old man. Police said they were at the party with their two minor children, who were not injured. Thoemmes said some people initially interviewed by detectives provided false statements. 'Hindering prosecution is a crime and those who do so will face charges,' she said.
Associated Press
30-01-2025
- Associated Press
Honolulu police have arrested 6 people in connection with deadly New Year's fireworks blast
HONOLULU (AP) — Police arrested a total of six people in connection with a deadly explosion of illegal fireworks in a Honolulu neighborhood on New Year's Eve and confiscated 500 pounds (227 kilograms) of unused fireworks from the scene of the blast, authorities said Thursday. Police arrested two couples on Wednesday and one couple last Friday, said Honolulu police homicide Lt. Deena Thoemmes said. Police expect to arrest more people, she said. Police were working with prosecutors to file charges but it is taking time due to the number of people arrested, large volume of evidence being examined and fireworks being tested, she said. 'We are recovering more evidence and identifying more individuals. As a result, additional arrests will be forthcoming,' Thoemmes said at a news conference. The explosion killed three women, one man and a 3-year-old boy and injured about 20 others. The tragedy occurred when a lit bundle of mortar-style aerials tipped over and shot into crates of unlit fireworks, causing a rapid-fire series of blasts. All six suspects were arrested on allegations of first-degree reckless endangering, first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and multiple fireworks offenses. The first two suspects have been released pending investigation. Manslaughter was the most serious potential charge in the case and was being investigated, Thoemmes said. Detectives will study how the fireworks were acquired and will ask the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for help with that part of the investigation, she said. The 500 pounds recovered from the scene were found in the carport and in vehicles belonging to people at the gathering, Thoemmes said. The igniting of illegal fireworks — many of them aerials normally used in professional fireworks shows — has become increasingly common in Hawaii in recent years. People set off fireworks year-round but especially during the year-end holidays. Hawaii authorities have said existing laws are difficult to enforce, in part because the evidence is often incinerated when fireworks are lit. Residents are also often reluctant to testify against their neighbors, making cases difficult to prove in court. The deadly New Year's explosion prompted Gov. Josh Green to propose overhauling fireworks enforcement laws, including creating $300 citations that police could issue to violators. He has also asked lawmakers to enable Class A felony charges and possibly decades in prison for those whose actions with fireworks severely injure or kill people. The state Department of Law Enforcement has asked lawmakers to appropriate $5.2 million to hire eight people and expand a forensic lab to crack down on the persistent rampant smuggling of fireworks. Police said the first two suspects arrested, a man and a woman both 33 years-old, ignited illegal fireworks at the New Year's Eve gathering and allowed their children — ages 15, 10 and 1 — to also light illegal fireworks. The 1-year-old was injured, treated at a hospital and released, police said. Thoemmes said the two other couples arrested Wednesday both lived at the house where the explosion occurred. One couple — a 35-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman — allegedly attended the gathering with their four minor children. All four children were injured, taken to a hospital to be treated for their wounds and released. The other couple was a 29-year-old woman and 32-year-old man. Police said they were at the party with their two minor children, who were not injured. Thoemmes said some people initially interviewed by detectives provided false statements. 'Hindering prosecution is a crime and those who do so will face charges,' she said.
