HONOLULU — Hawaii island police are investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl that resulted from a stabbing Wednesday at a Hawaiian Beaches residence.
Puna patrol officers responded to a call at 11:44 a.m. about the girl with an injury to her neck.
At the time of the incident, two male juveniles were cooking breakfast in the kitchen, according to Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins in an interview with. There were no adults present. Amon-Wilkins said he believed the parents were at work.
When emergency responders arrived on the scene, a neighbor was performing CPR on the girl, who later died at Hilo Medical Center.
Amon-Wilkins said that a 14-year-old was taken into custody as part of the investigation and later released to child protective services.
The incident was classified as manslaughter. Amon-Wilkins stressed that was “very preliminary.”
Late Friday afternoon, police said the medical examiner’s preliminary findings indicate the injury appears consistent with an accidental stab wound. However, a ruling on the manner of death has been deferred pending additional analysis.