Mom accused
of burning her son
could get 10 years

The Aliamanu woman allegedly
was angry that the boy had been
suspended from the school bus

By Debra Barayuga
Star-Bulletin

An Aliamanu woman allegedly beat her 9-year-old son with an electrical cord and immersed him in a tub of hot water apparently because he had been suspended from riding the school bus.

At a detention hearing in U.S. District Court yesterday, federal Magistrate Edward C. King ordered Allysha Lynne Hamber to be held until arrangements can be made for mental health treatment and continued a detention hearing to Tuesday.

In a court affidavit, FBI Special Agent James Tamura-Wageman said the temperature of water tested from the bathroom faucet measured 155 degrees.

Dorian Lonell Jones suffered first- and second-degree burns to his hands, buttocks, lower back, thighs and genitals, the affidavit said. Both feet suffered second-and third-degree burns with the areas of the skin peeled off.

The incident occurred at Hamber's home at the Aliamanu Military Reservation on May 24. Hamber allegedly struck her son numerous times with the electrical cord, causing visible welts on his skin. She allegedly forced him to sit in the tub after turning on the water.

The boy "forcibly" got out of the tub a short time later and his skin began to peel from his feet. He was taken to Tripler Hospital emergency room and admitted to the intensive care unit, the affidavit said.

Shanlyn Souza, federal public defender, asked the court for Hamber's release, citing a work history and lack of criminal record.

As a condition of release, Souza said Child Protective Services is trying to establish a family service treatment plan that includes counseling and psychiatric evaluation. Hamber also has been put on the waiting list for Miller Hale, a halfway house.

Government prosecutors objected to her release saying that allowing her to be in contact with her family and children is inappropriate, and, until there is an opening at Miller Hale, she should be detained.

If convicted of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, Hamber faces not more than 10 years imprisonment.