Hawaii Social Worker Arrested After Shocking Death of 11-Year-Old Daughter

Honolulu, HI – A Hawaii social worker has been arrested and charged with manslaughter after police say she brutally beat her 11-year-old adopted daughter for 30 minutes, leading to the child’s death.

Authorities responded to a 911 call at the woman’s home on March 5, where they found the girl unresponsive with severe injuries. Despite efforts to revive her, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Sina Pili, has worked as a social worker for the Hawaii Department of Human Services for more than a decade. According to police, she admitted to hitting her daughter but did not expect the child to die.

Shocking Allegations

Investigators say the alleged assault lasted for about 30 minutes, during which Pili repeatedly punched and slapped the girl. What led to the attack remains unclear, but authorities are digging into the family’s history to understand if there were previous signs of abuse.

Pili adopted the child three years ago, and no prior reports of mistreatment were on record. However, the brutal nature of the assault has left the community in shock, especially given her role in child welfare.

Legal Consequences

Pili was taken into custody and is currently being held on a $500,000 bond at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. She is facing manslaughter charges, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Her first court hearing is scheduled for March 10.

Legal experts say that while manslaughter is the current charge, prosecutors could seek a harsher penalty depending on the evidence.

Community in Disbelief

Neighbors and coworkers are struggling to process the news, as many described Pili as a dedicated professional who seemed to care deeply about children.

“This is just heartbreaking,” said one neighbor. “She seemed like a good mother. We never saw any signs of trouble.”

Meanwhile, the Hawaii Department of Human Services released a statement expressing condolences for the young girl’s death and promising full cooperation with law enforcement.

A Wake-Up Call for Child Welfare

This case has sparked conversations about the oversight of adoptive families, particularly those involving social workers. Experts say there should be regular check-ins and mental health screenings for adoptive parents to prevent such tragedies.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the family to come forward.

This devastating case serves as a grim reminder that abuse can happen anywhere, even in homes that appear loving from the outside.