Woman slapped, punched her adoptive daughter for 30 minutes before she died, police say

(HONOLULU) -A Hawaiian woman has been charged in connection with the death of her 11-year-old adoptive daughter. Sina Pili, 39, was arrested on Friday after a grand jury indicted her on multiple charges, including manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor, and persistent nonsupport.

Authorities were alerted to the situation on December 22, 2023, when first responders arrived at a home in Laie and found 11-year-old Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You unresponsive with bruises on various parts of her body, including her face. She was taken to Kahuku Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The Honolulu medical examiner’s office has deferred determining the initial cause and manner of death pending further testing and a review of medical records. However, Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes of the Honolulu Police Department provided updates on the investigation, noting that evidence indicated that Azaeliyah had been slapped and punched multiple times by Pili for about 30 minutes on the day she died.

A forensic pathologist concluded that Azaeliyah died from multiple injuries related to child abuse and classified her manner of death as homicide. Thoemmes pointed out that the girl had extensive bruising, multiple abrasions, wounds on her nose consistent with being bitten, rib fractures, and signs of pneumonia.

Days before her death, Azaeliyah had expressed to her adoptive parents that she was feeling unwell. The autopsy revealed she tested positive for COVID-19, influenza A, and pneumonia.

Following Azaeliyah’s death, her four adoptive siblings—ages 12, 9, 8, and 7—were placed into protective custody. Brigham Young University–Hawaii confirmed that Pili had been teaching as an adjunct instructor there, but her contract was terminated once the university learned about her arrest.
Pili is currently in custody of the Honolulu Police Department and is scheduled for arraignment on March 13. If convicted of manslaughter, she could face a felony charge with a prison term of up to 20 years without the possibility of parole or probation.