The Hawaii Police Department has announced an arrest in connection to the heinous abuse and starvation of a two-year-old girl. According to a news release, 31-year-old Clayton Ernest Saragosa was arrested and charged with various offenses for allegedly abusing and starving a young girl.
Around 2 a.m. on March 23, 2024, Hilo patrol officers responded to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room after receiving a report that a two-year-old girl had been admitted with burn marks, signs of dehydration, signs of malnutrition, bruising, a fractured rib, and a fractured femur bone.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the victim was flown to Kapiolani Medical Center for further treatment. Authorities say the victim remains hospitalized in stable condition. Juvenile Aid Section detectives responded to investigate. Detectives say Saragosa is the live-in boyfriend of the child’s 23-year-old mother.
Detectives allege that Saragosa had repeatedly periodically denied the victim food and water. He is also accused of regularly physically abusing the child over a period of several months. Around 4:40 a.m. on March 23, 2024, Saragosa was arrested at his residence in Mountain View. His two biological sons, aged 12 and 13, were taken into protective custody for their safety.
They were later released to Child Welfare Services. Two additional sons, aged 8 and 4, were there for a weekend visitation. They were placed into protective custody before being released to their mother. Saragosa had been charged with First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Abuse Family Household Member, and two counts of Second-Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. Authorities are investigating the mother’s role in the abuse.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.