Posted on: Friday, November 22, 2002

Man sought in burial of stillborn child

Advertiser Staff

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A man believed to be the father of an infant stillborn Sunday in Kalalau Valley failed to appear in court yesterday on a charge of improperly burying the body, and a bench warrant has been issued for him.

David Tucker was arrested along with the mother, Maria Alexander Hahn, both 34, after she reportedly gave birth to a stillborn child that he buried in the remote valley. Police said the two have not provided police with sufficient information to recover the body for an autopsy.

Both were released on bail after their arrest. Tucker failed to appear at a court date yesterday. Hahn has a later court date.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to seek information about the case. They have issued a call for public assistance in locating a hiker who may have helped the couple on Sunday morning. Detective Kaleo Perez said the man was described as tall, thin, with long hair and a full beard. He was to have hiked out of Kalalau on Monday.

The couple reportedly asked the hiker to write an SOS mark on the beach, which led to their evacuation by the Fire Department. Anyone with information can reach Perez at 241-1686 or 644-1274, or police dispatch at 241-1711.