Beating suspect told to stay away
His girlfriend obtains a restraining order after he allegedly put her son in the hospital
A Laie man who allegedly beat his girlfriend's 4-year-old son Tuesday has been ordered to stay away from her and her family.
Tina Marie Kepa obtained a temporary restraining order for protection Thursday from Samita W. Hall, who was charged that same day with first-degree assault in the beating of Kepa's son from another relationship.
The restraining order is in effect until April and could be extended at a hearing Thursday if Kepa can show good cause for it to continue.
Hall made his first appearance in Honolulu District Court yesterday and will return for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday. He remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
In her petition for a temporary restraining order, Kepa said that Hall's assault on her 4-year-old son on Tuesday caused injuries that resulted in him being placed in the intensive care unit at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.
The boy lost consciousness upon arrival at the hospital and is now in a medically induced coma to help him breathe, according to police.
Kepa also noted that Hall threatened to kill her the same day. At least two of her other children, 11 and 13, witnessed or heard Hall allegedly beating her 4-year-old son that day.
Kepa and Hall, who had been together for at least two years, also have a 1-year-old son, according to court documents.
Kepa's brothers also obtained a restraining order against Hall, alleging that he threatened to harm them and the family.
"Ima (sic) grab my gun and shoot you and your family. ... Ima (sic) grab my boys to kill you guys," Hall allegedly told Kepa's brother, Peter, the day police responded to a call at a Herbert Street apartment on Tuesday, according to Peter Kepa's petition for a temporary restraining order.
Hall, who was holding his 1-year-old son, allegedly grabbed a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill Peter Kepa just before police arrived, according to the petition.
Peter Kepa said in the petition that he was getting dressed for work when he heard his brother yelling at Hall. When he went to investigate, he found Hall cursing at three of Tina Marie Kepa's children and asking who had called their mother.
"If you guys say anything, I will kick your asses," Hall allegedly told them, according to Peter Kepa. He reported that when he told the children to go upstairs, Hall swore at him, telling him, "This my family!"
Peter Kepa told the court that Hall was about to take a swing at him, but Kepa persuaded him to put down the 1-year-old child he was holding. Hall then tackled Kepa and put him in a choke hold, according to the petition. Hall then proceeded to lock him out of the apartment, the petition states.
When Kepa looked into the window, he saw his 4-year-old nephew "all beat up in the face and crying," according to the petition.
A judge will determine on Jan. 30 whether the restraining order filed by the Kepa brothers will continue.
Hall has a 2000 conviction for second-degree assault for shaking his then 6-week-old baby from another relationship. The infant suffered a brain injury.