Big Island girl in abuse probe out of hospital, in foster home
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — A 10-year-old Big Island girl who was allegedly severely abused by her caregivers in Puna has been released from the California hospital where she was being treated for burns, and has been returned to Honolulu and placed in a foster home.
Derick Dahilig, spokesman for the state Department of Human Services, confirmed the girl is no longer hospitalized, but would say only that she remains in foster care under the supervision of Human Services officials.
Prosecutors are expected to seek grand jury indictments in connection with the abuse investigation, which was completed by police in June.
Police have said the investigation focused on the caregivers, Hyacinth Poouahi, 37, and her fiance.
The child lived with the family for several months but is not related to them, police said. People who know the girl and her family said her 28-year-old mother would leave her for months at a time with family members, friends and acquaintances.
An ambulance crew called to Poouahi's 'Ainaloa home on Feb. 7 found the girl near death from malnutrition and dehydration. A police affidavit filed in Hilo District Court stated that she had a "decomposing" cut, containing maggots, on her head and that a doctor who examined her said marks on her body suggested she had been bound.
There were broken bones in her left hand and left foot, and apparent burns from a cigarette and cigarette lighter, according to court records.
Doctors also told police that the girl went into cardiac arrest at the hospital and had to be revived, according to court records. She remained in a coma for weeks.
Poouahi's 16-year-old daughter told police that the child had been beaten by Poouahi, her fiance and Poouahi's son, who was 14 at the time, according to the affidavit.
Poouahi has said the girl was deeply troubled and would hurt herself. Poouahi has also said that the girl's injuries were self-inflicted and that the child began to injure herself after Poouahi told her she could not remain with Poouahi's family.
Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.
