(BIVN) – A Puna man has been arrested and charged in the death of his infant son.
Three-month-old John-Charles Saiki-Paiva died on Sunday, October 25. A later autopsy concluded the infant died from head injuries, and foul play was suspected.
Police described the October 25th incident in a news release:
On Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at 11:50 a.m., Puna patrol officers were responded to a residence off of 3rd Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision for a report of an unresponsive male infant at the residence. HFD paramedics also responded and transported the infant to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center emergency room for emergency medical care. The infant did not survive and was pronounced deceased at 1:06 p.m.
The infant’s father, 20-year-old Joshua Kaleolani Agbayani Soto Paiva of Keaʻau, was arrested without incident at the Hilo Police Station on Wednesday, November 11th. He was later charged with manslaughter.
Prosecutors say Paiva made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Thursday afternoon.
Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen reports Paiva’s request for supervised release was denied and his bail was maintained at $1 million.
Paiva was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on November 16, 2026.
Prosecutors say the charge of Manslaughter is a class A felony offense, which carries a maximum penalty of a 20-year prison term. “The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the prosecutors added.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Jayce Carvalho at (808) 961-2378, or via email at Jayce.Carvalho@hawaiipolice.com, or Detective Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2385, or via email at Amy.Omaya@hawaiipolice.gov.
