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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:05 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2008

Customs office issues statement on baby death

Advertiser Staff

U.S. Customs and Border Protection today issued a statement of condolence in the death of a 14-day-old baby who died Feb. 8 after being locked in a room at Honolulu International Airport.

The baby, Michael Futi, will be buried tomorrow at Borthwick Mortuary.

Futi had been brought to Honolulu from American Samoa for heart surgery and died after his party was detained by customs officials, according to the family's attorney.

Honolulu Area Port Director Lamar Witmer issued this statement today:

"On behalf of Customs and Border Protection, and the hundreds of dedicated CBP men and women on the island of Oahu, we grieve with the Futi family and our community over this loss. There are investigations underway, by the Honolulu Police Department as well as CBP Internal Affairs, into Michael Futi's death. CBP is fully cooperating with and looks forward to learning the results of those investigations."

Visitation for Michael is scheduled from 9 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at Borthwick, followed by a service at 11:30 a.m.

Burial is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Visitor Aloha Society worked with Borthwick Mortuary in getting the funeral service and burial plot donated to the family.