Mother, stepfather plead not guilty in Maili child torture case

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The mother and stepfather accused in what authorities are calling “an extremely serious case” of child abuse in Maili appeared in court Monday morning.

Read more HNL-X Fandom Expo celebrates all things pop culture, from comics to cosplay

Jasmine Quiroz-Pele, 35, is charged with torture and kidnapping. Her partner, James Heffernan, 36, is charged with accomplice to commit torture and kidnapping.

Both pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The two were escorted into court Monday in blue jail scrubs. They said nothing to the court during their appearance, only mouthing a few words to each other.

Honolulu police officers arrested the two Friday after a 13-year-old boy told police he was abused at their home on St. John’s Road.

Child Welfare Services took three children into protective custody: the 13-year-old boy and his siblings, a 5-year-old girl and an infant.

Read more GOP gubernatorial, Lt. Gov. candidates discuss effort to surpass dominant Democrats

During a press conference Saturday night, HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes commended the victim’s bravery in reporting the abuse to the police.

“This is an extremely serious case involving allegations of prolonged and repeated abuse of a child,” Thoemmes said. “I want to recognize the courage of the young victim. He made the decision to leave the residence, seek safety, and disclose what had been happening to him for years.”

Quiroz-Pele’s bail was set at $400,000, and Heffernan’s bail was set at $200,000.

Read more What’s Cooking: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue celebrates SPAM Musubi Day with free giveaways

Read more: 2 charged after child reports abuse in Maili home