A Hawaii couple has been charged for the murder of their adopted 6-year-old daughter. The two were indicted by a grand jury and faced additional charges surrounding her death.
Prosecuting Attorney of Honolulu Steve Alm says Lehua Kalua, 44, and Isaac “Sonny” Kalua, 52, were indicted and charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree hindering prosecution, two counts of persistent nonsupport, and two second-degree counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.
Lehua Kalua received additional charges; two counts of abuse of a family or household members.
The couple reported Isabella “Ariel” Kalua missing on September 13. However, investigators believe she was killed nearly a month before. What’s believed to be her last appearance was captured on a home video surveillance system on August 18, CNN reported.
If found guilty on the charge of second-degree murder, the couple could get a mandatory life in prison with the possibility of parole.
“But if convicted, Lehua and Isaac Kalua face an extended term of imprisonment of life without the possibility of parole because Ariel was under the age of 9 when she was allegedly murdered,” Alm’s office said in the release.
Last week, the couple pleaded not guilty.
“The allegations, in this case, are heinous beyond description,” Alm said in a written statement. “And we will hold Lehua and Isaac Kalua accountable for their alleged crimes against this defenseless child.”
Ariel and several of her siblings were adopted or fostered by the couple and were apparently living under gruesome conditions.
Earlier this month, one of Ariel’s siblings told authorities Lehua Kalua bought a dog cage to lock Ariel in at night because the 6-year-old “would sneak around at night and want to eat because she was hungry.”
Ariel was denied food, and the family didn’t have a dog.
The child also told police they were “asked to keep a secret by Lehua and Isaac regarding what happened to [Ariel],” and that she “was in the bathroom in a dog cage, duct tape on her mouth and nose, and she didn’t wake up.”
Authorities say the child didn’t know what happened to Ariel after that. Her remains have not been found.
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