(Trends Wide) — The adoptive parents of a 6-year-old girl in Hawaii were arrested and charged with her death after they initially reported her missing, according to police.
Isaac and Lehua Kalua were arrested Wednesday on second-degree murder charges in the death of Isabella “Ariel,” the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) said during a news conference.
The couple reported the girl missing on September 13, prompting authorities and public volunteers to launch a search, police said.
The couple initially told police that the last time they saw Ariel was on September 12 before she allegedly disappeared the next day. But police said Wednesday their investigation revealed that Ariel died in mid-August.
“We believe that Ariel was murdered by her adoptive parents in August 2021, and it was approximately four weeks later that we received the missing person report, in September,” said Ben Moszkowicz of the Honolulu Police Department.
Acting Chief Rade Vanic added that investigators believe the evidence points to the adoptive parents “and no one else.” Police did not provide details about their evidence against the couple, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
Ariel’s cause of death has not been determined and his remains have not been found, authorities said.
Authorities searched the couple’s property and Isaac Kalua’s workplace.
The couple still have no lawyers and are being held without bail, police said.
The police are seeking the public’s help in obtaining information related to the case.
