Media Release

Hawai'i Police Department detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 2-year-old female toddler identified as Iyanla Kuamo'o-Andrews. 

On the evening of April 24 at about 8 p.m., fire/rescue personnel were summoned to a home in the Wainaku area of Hilo to a report of a young child found unconscious by her parents. Medics were able to revive the child, who was then transported to Hilo Medical Center and later flown to Oahu in critical condition for further treatment.

Injuries found to the child appeared suspicious. Investigators found cause to believe that at least one of the injuries noted was attributed to the actions of her father, who was taken into custody at that time for abuse of a family or household member. He is identified as 34-year-old Henry K. Kuamo'o of Hilo. Kuamo'o was released pending further investigation on April 26.

On the evening of April 29, the child died at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children. An autopsy performed the following day indicated that she died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. Honolulu Police Department investigators opened an investigation, as the child died in their jurisdiction, and have classified the case as an unattended death. They are assisting detectives assigned to the Hawai'i Police Department's Criminal Investigations Section.  

Police ask that anyone with information about this investigation call Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua at 961-2252. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.