A woman in Hawaii, aged 39, is facing charges for the alleged murder of her 11-year-old adopted daughter. Sina Pili was indicted by a grand jury and arrested on charges of manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a minor, and persistent nonsupport in connection with the death of Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You, as reported by local authorities.
Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes of the Honolulu Police Department stated that on December 22, 2023, emergency services responded to a call about an unresponsive young girl at a residence in Laie. Upon arrival, first responders found Azaeliyah’s father attempting to revive her under the guidance of a 911 dispatcher. The child was transported to Kahuku Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death were initially unclear, pending further investigation.
According to officers present at the scene, visible bruises were found on Azaeliyah’s body. Both parents reportedly denied any knowledge of how these injuries occurred, suggesting they could have been the result of sports activities or a possible fall in the shower. As the homicide investigation into Azaeliyah’s death progressed, detectives specializing in child abuse began probing into the potential mistreatment of Pili’s four other adopted children, all aged 12 or younger.
In the days leading up to her death, Azaeliyah had been absent from school several times due to illness, with a recorded fever of 101 degrees at one point, as revealed by Thoemmes during a news conference. On the day of her death, Pili allegedly forced the sick child to run to a nearby chapel.
Thoemmes detailed the events of the day Azaeliyah died, stating that Pili had physically assaulted the child over a span of approximately 30 minutes. The medical examiner’s report outlined the extent of Azaeliyah’s injuries, which included extensive bruising, abrasions, bite marks, internal neck injuries likely from strangulation, two fractured ribs, and a scalp hemorrhage. The autopsy also revealed that Azaeliyah had tested positive for COVID-19 and influenza A, and had pneumonia.
Pili, who holds a master’s degree in social work and was an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, has since had her contract terminated by the university and her image removed from its website. She was also employed as a behavioral health specialist at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, where she was arrested. Pili is currently in police custody without bond and is set to appear in court for her arraignment on March 13.
While Azaeliyah’s adoptive father has not been arrested in relation to her death, he remains under investigation by authorities.