Whatever
Happened...
Question: What ever happened to the fund set up to assist the family of 6-year-old Big Island murder victim Kauilani Tadeo? Slain girl’s family fund
is still openBy Rod Thompson
rthompson@starbulletin.comAnswer: The "Friends of Kauilani Tadeo" fund was created primarily to assist with the expenses of the girl's funeral, which was held Oct. 11-12, said family friend Pua Tokumoto, who set up the fund.
More than $8,000 was collected from donations and from benefit concerts on Oct. 14 and 19, she said.
Tadeo was found Sept. 27 in a vacant house near her Puna home, killed by blunt-force trauma to her head, police said.
She also suffered stab wounds. A 14-year-old neighborhood boy, described by his father as retarded, is being held by authorities as a suspect.
Tokumoto said the girl's parents, George and Tumata, continue to be emotionally troubled, and the mother has not been able to return to work.
However, the mother learned that she was pregnant the same week that her daughter was killed, and the thought that another child is on the way has given the parents consolation, she said.
The fund will remain open at least until January, and contributions continue to trickle in, Tokumoto said.
Contributions can be made at any branch of First Hawaiian Bank.
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