Maui man suspected of beating young girl
The 2-year-old has two surgeries but is expected to live
LAHAINA » A 25-year-old Maui man has been charged with attempted murder in the beating of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter.
Francisco Ray Ramirez, a hardware clerk, was being held on $100,000 bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday in Lahaina District Court.
The girl has undergone two surgeries. She was listed in critical condition yesterday at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children on Oahu, but according to her physician, she is expected to live, said Police Lt. Chad Viela.
"But it's still too early to tell," Viela said.
Ramirez was living with his girlfriend and the child at Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center housing in Lahaina when the incident occurred, and police were called at 7:19 a.m. Wednesday, Viela said.
He said the girl, who is on a ventilator but not in a coma, had surgery at Maui Memorial Medical Center, then was transferred to Kapiolani and underwent a second surgery.
"Apparently, she had some internal bleeding they had to stop," Viela said. "She had significant internal injuries."
Viela said the girl had a torn pancreas and also needed a part of her intestines reattached. He said when police arrived after receiving a call, the mother said the girl was not responsive.
Ramirez was arrested Thursday evening following an initial police investigation.