Updated at 11:45 a.m., Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ex-Hawaii family awarded $2 million in infant's death
Advertiser Staff
A former Honolulu military couple has won a $2 million judgment against the babysitter responsible for their child's death in 2004.The babysitter, Shawna Akin, left 13-month-old Aslyn Ryan unattended in a hot car in February 2004, then lied and concealed facts about the baby's heat stroke when she called emergency medical personnel at Hickam Air Force Base, according to a lawsuit filed by the baby's parents, Timothy and Deona Ryan.
Akin, who has since moved to Wyoming, never defended herself in the lawsuit.
This morning, Circuit Judge Glenn Kim awarded the Ryans a $2 million judgment.
The lawsuit said Aslyn Ryan was conceived after the Ryans underwent seven years of fertility treatment.
She was "a happy, vibrant and healthy daughter" the morning Timothy Ryan dropped her off at Akin's home, the suit said.
