Special inquiry sought in child's death

By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Questions are being raised about the death of a 1-year-old Nanakuli boy who died while in foster care, and three legislators, the child's family and community members want Gov. Linda Lingle to appoint a special investigator to examine the case.

The new head of the state's Department of Human Services, Lillian Koller, said she supports the idea but also said Child Protective Services is conducting its own review.

Ke-Ali'i Keahi died Friday afternoon at St. Francis Medical Center-West. The child, who had been taken out of his parents' home by Child Protective Services in September 2002, had a history of asthma.

An autopsy was done Monday, but the cause of death has not been determined, said Susan Siu, chief investigator for the Honolulu medical examiner. There were no obvious signs of neglect or foul play and further tests will have to be done, she said. Police homicide investigators are reviewing the case.

Friends of the boy's parents took their case to the news media yesterday. They had wanted Ke-Ali'i's parents, Lambert and Shanda Keahi, to talk about the case, but a Family Court judge ordered the couple not to speak.

Strict confidentiality rules govern all CPS cases and prevent state officials from discussing them.

Even Koller, clearly frustrated by the rules as she spoke to reporters yesterday, said she could say very little. "I can say there is merit in the record for what the court did," Koller said. "The court is not corrupt. And neither are we."

Johnny Rayford, who has been the family's volunteer advocate for months, accused CPS officials of "medical neglect," yet could not be more specific.

He said the infant had often been sick, prompting the foster parents to cancel visits with Lambert and Shanda Keahi.

Rayford said Ke-Ali'i and three siblings were taken out of the home because of "simple discipline problems." He could not be more specific.

Reps. Dennis Arakaki, D-30th (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa), Michael Kahikina, D-44th (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale), and Maile Shimabukuro, D-45th (Wai'anae, Makaha), say that the governor needs to step in and that the state attorney general should not be involved.

Arakaki said confidentiality rules need to be examined.

"Too often, these cases are hidden by a cloak of secrecy," he said. "I think the public has a right to know more."

Kahikina, who said the family approached him shortly after the boy died, was critical of the lack of information provided the parents about the boy's death. He accused state officials of being insensitive.

"A child died in their hands," he said. "It is really upsetting."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.