KAILUA-KONA — Prosecutors have the case of a 6-year-old boy who died on Halloween at Lailani Apartments in Kealakehe.
More than seven months have passed since the boy was pronounced dead, about an hour after he was brought unconscious by family members to the Kailua Fire Station about 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31, 2018.
Reed Mahuna, commander of the Hawaii Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigations Section, said Wednesday a suspect has been identified in the child’s death, and that the case had been routed to the prosecutor’s office, which will decide what, if any, charges to pursue.
First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Ross said she was unable to comment on the case “as it is being actively investigated at this time.”
Police responding to the fire station off Palani Road learned that the child was reportedly involved in an incident and been found unconscious at the Lailani Apartment complex on Manawalea Street. The affordable housing complex is located about a half-mile from Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate schools.
Fire department medics transported the boy to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m.
The child’s death was ruled a homicide after autopsy results revealed the cause of death involved trauma, police said a week after the incident. Police have yet to provide any other details on what the trauma was or the victim’s name.
“I cannot identify the victim at this point, because doing so would adversely affect the investigation,” Mahuna said Wednesday, noting he is “cognizant of the importance of identifying the victim” and that police intend to release a name “as soon as possible.”
In February, police told West Hawaii Today that there were viable leads and follow-up work was still being done. However, police said they hoped to file charges against someone soon.
Though the case may have been sent to prosecutors, Mahuna said his investigators “are always looking for information and would be appreciative for anyone who may have information regarding this case to contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646, ext. 262.”