Allegedly abused
Big Isle girl moves
to new hospital

A 10-year-year old Big Island girl, taken to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in February with severe injuries apparently related to child abuse, has been moved to another hospital.

The girl, known as Alexis, was taken from the home where she was staying on Feb. 7 after her caretaker called 911 for medical help. The girl remained in a coma at Kapiolani until about the third week in March, when she slowly began responding to her environment.

Kapiolani spokesperson Pat Oda said there are tight restrictions on what she can say about the girl. "She was transferred to another facility," Oda said.

Legal considerations regarding the girl's privacy and the role of state Child Welfare Services, which is the girl's legal guardian, prevent her from saying more, Oda said.

Derick Dahilig, spokesman for the Department of Human Services, which includes the child welfare agency, said the girl is in stable condition "at a hospital." He said he too was restricted by law from saying more.

A police affidavit for a search warrant on the home of the girl's caretaker said Alexis had injuries like bed sores, burn marks, broken bones in her left hand and foot, and an apparent puncture wound near her neck.

The caretaker, Hyacinth Poouahi, said the girl's mother left Alexis in her care around October or November. Alexis injured herself to get attention, Poouahi said.

One of Poouahi's daughters told police that her mother and father "hurt" Alexis.

Police have classified the case as endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree and are continuing an investigation.