Makia Alameda
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CANDID ID: HI_22_2015
AGE
Infant
STATE
Hawaii
DATE OF DEATH
12/31/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On December 31, 2022, shortly after 4:00 a.m., the 21-year-old mother of 5-month-old Makia Alameda called 911 reporting that her baby boy was unresponsive. She and her boyfriend were rushing the infant from their Kalapana residence toward the Pahoa Fire Station when rescue crews intercepted them on Highway 130 near Leilani Estates. Despite life-saving efforts by Hawai'i Fire Department personnel, Makia was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 5:54 a.m. An autopsy performed on January 2, 2023, determined the cause of death to be asphyxia with the manner ruled a homicide. The pathologist also noted acute blunt force injuries as well as injuries in various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of prior abuse. The case was initially classified as a coroner's inquest investigation until the final autopsy report was received in late 2023, at which point it was reclassified to second-degree murder and forwarded to the county prosecutor's office. Although suspects were identified, no arrests or charges had been made as of the time of reporting.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The law enforcement press release states the cause of death was asphyxia (ruled homicide), and "The baby was also noted to have acute blunt force injuries, as well some in the healing stages." The news article corroborates, quoting Captain Amon-Wilkins: "There were some traumatic injuries to the body as well internally and externally as noted by the pathologist." The homicidal asphyxia and blunt force injuries clearly indicate inflicted injury.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

The police press release states the child's 21-year-old mother and "her boyfriend" were present at the Kalapana residence with the baby. The news article quotes Captain Amon-Wilkins: "When we did route the case to the prosecutors office, there were suspects identified." The boyfriend was one of only two adults present with the baby in the household. While no one has been arrested or charged, the presence of a male paramour in the household where a baby died of homicidal asphyxia with old and new blunt force injuries, combined with the statement that suspects were identified, suggests potential involvement, though it remains unconfirmed.

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge. First, there was a significant delay in the investigation: the death occurred on December 31, 2022, but the case was not reclassified to second-degree murder until late 2023 when the final autopsy report was received. The police press release states: "This case was initially classified as a coroner's inquest investigation until detectives received the final autopsy report in late 2023, when it was reclassified to second-degree murder." Second, despite suspects being identified (per Captain Amon-Wilkins' statement in the news article), no arrests or charges had been made as of April 2024 — over a year after the death. Third, the sex of the victim was initially misreported as female before being corrected to male, an unusual administrative error in a homicide investigation.

Lives Cut Short