Dad of dead baby
returns to court

The man allegedly buried his
stillborn baby in a Kauai valley

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By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

The man charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly burying his reportedly stillborn infant in Kauai's remote Kalalau Valley over the weekend is scheduled to go back to court today.

David Tucker, 34, was arraigned Tuesday on a single count of concealing the corpse of an infant. A Kauai District Court judge will ask Tucker today whether he wants a jury or nonjury trial.

Kauai police and state Division of Conservation & Resource Enforcement officers searched for the infant's body on Monday and Tuesday but suspended the search yesterday.

"They're still trying to decide what their next step will be," said Marilyn Wong, Kauai County spokeswoman.

Police charged Tucker after he initially refused to allow them to fingerprint or photograph him, said Craig DeCosta, Kauai deputy prosecutor. Tucker had no identification and is listed as homeless.

Kauai police released the infant's mother from custody but plan to charge her later, DeCosta said.

Authorities learned of the infant's fate after a tour helicopter spotted an "SOS" distress sign on the beach Sunday. The mother told the Kauai Fire Department rescue team that airlifted her out of the valley that the baby was delivered stillborn after midnight and the father buried the body.