New court filings may explain why body of murdered 6-year-old was never found

 

By Lynn Kawano

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Court records filed last month explain what may have happened to the body of the 6-year-old Waimanalo girl who police said was murdered by her adoptive parents.

Isabella “Ariel” Kalua was reported missing in September 2021, according to Honolulu police, but Isaac “Sonny” Kalua and Lehua Kalua allegedly killed her a month prior, according to the records.

The child’s body was never found, despite hundreds of search hours by law enforcement and community volunteers.

The Kaluas were charged with murder, hindering prosecution and abuse.

Last month, the defense attorney for Lehua Kalua filed a motion to dismiss the murder charge because the indictment was incomplete, lacking key elements.

Attached to the motion were the grand jury transcripts of testimony by Isabella “Ariel” Kalua’s older sibling.

The sibling told the panel that in August 2021, Lehua put the girl in a dog cage and put duct tape on her mouth then went to sleep. Some time during the night, they woke to find the child was not breathing.

The older sibling said the Kaluas started going to different public beaches about every other day.

They “poured this green stuff into the public toilets” the sibling said. Lehua was washing dishes at the beaches, “pots and pans and... other cooking materials” that Lehua used.

When the deputy prosecutor asked what the sibling was doing while this was going on, she told the grand jury panel that she was the lookout, told to “watch if somebody’s coming.”

She said the Kaluas poured green stuff down the drains of the bathrooms after they were done.

“We were just horrified by what the survivors were subjected to,” said Randall Rosenberg, one of the attorneys for the siblings.

Rosenberg said the older sibling was apparently forced to assist “in disposing of the body.”

Another attorney for the other children, Trevor Potts, believed the green fluid was possibly acid.

Potts said the revelations about cooking and grilling items and then the disposing of those items in dumpsters are difficult, but said volunteers who searched for the child and others who cared about the child deserve to know.

“Especially the community of Waimanalo where this all took place,” Potts said.

The older sibling will likely be called to the stand to talk about this again during the Kaluas' trial, legal expert Victor Bakke said.

A hearing on the motion to dismiss the murder charge is set for April 14.

The Kaluas remain in jail without bail.

Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Restore Justice:

 

205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-led Nationwide Crackdown, Including two in the District of Kansas

[KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.] – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.  The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown.  The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.  

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach, and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

"Keeping our children safe is a priority, and sexual predators are mistaken if they think the cloak of the Internet's Dark Web places them beyond the detection and reach of the U.S. Department of Justice," said Acting U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard. "Here in the District of Kansas, partnerships of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies work in tandem to investigate child sexual abuse cases using such resources such as cybertips and undercover operations. Officers forward substantiated allegations to federal prosecutors who are specially trained in litigating charges of possession, production, and distribution of child exploitation sexual abuse materials."

In the District of Kansas, two individuals were arrested and charged with federal crimes, including:

•    Christopher Davis, 39, of Wellington was indicted on four counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography

•    Christopher Slattery, 42, of Manhattan was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor - possession of child pornography

Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Singapore - Asian police forces nab more than 400 suspects in joint operation targeting online child abuse

435 people were arrested in a cross-border operation targeting online child sexual exploitation activities. (Photos, clockwise from top left: Singapore Police Force, Japan National Police Agency, Royal Thai Police and Korean National Police Agency)

SINGAPORE: Police officers from six Asian jurisdictions have arrested 435 people - including 21 men in Singapore - for their suspected involvement in online child sexual exploitation activities.

Police forces from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand conducted a cross-border operation from Feb 24 to Mar 28, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Friday (Apr 4).

An additional 109 people are also assisting with investigations, bringing the total number of people targeted to 525 men and 19 women aged between 13 and 68.

During the five-week operation, officers from the specialised crime branch of Singapore's Criminal Investigation Department, in collaboration with the five other police forces, conducted raids at 269 locations in Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand.

Electronic devices, including 84 computers, 279 handphones, 32 tablets, 150 storage devices and 9 routers, as well as child sexual abuse materials created by generative artificial intelligence tools, were seized.

In Singapore, the 21 men - aged between 23 and 61 - were arrested for their suspected involvement in:

• Producing, possessing, gaining access and distributing child sexual abuse materials

• Sexual assault

• Threatening to distribute intimate images or recordings

• Sexual communication with a minor

• Sale and transmission of obscene materials

• Possession of obscene films

Possessing child abuse material carries a maximum jail term of five years, while distributing or selling such material is punishable with up to seven years' imprisonment. Both offences also attract a fine or caning.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a 43-year-old man allegedly paid a young female victim over the span of several years in exchange for her live-streamed sexual acts.

Another 24-year-old man allegedly engaged in sexual communication with another young female victim and they had exchanged intimate photographs with each other.

SPF said the man also allegedly threatened to publish her photographs online if she refused to share more intimate materials of herself.

The two victims are non-Singaporeans based overseas, said SPF.

The Singapore police said that 11 of the arrested suspects have been referred to the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme.

Social workers in the scheme will conduct social triaging on them and assess whether further intervention is needed, the police said.

Deputy director of CID, Senior Assistant Commissioner Yeo Yee Chuan, expressed his appreciation to all officers involved for their professionalism and tenacity during the operations.

“Crimes against children are unacceptable and must be actively prevented.

"With the internet and the rapid evolution of technology, the distribution of child sexual abuse materials has become faster, more widespread, and increasingly anonymous," he said.

Lincoln County Man Charged in TBI Child Exploitation Case

 

LINCOLN COUNTY – Special agents assigned to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Squad have obtained indictments charging an Ardmore man in connection to an ongoing child exploitation case.

In 2023, agents received a tip concerning a subject using the online messaging platform Kik to talk about sexually abusing children and share images depicting the crimes.  Agents subsequently identified Larry Cunningham (DOB 3-17-1961) as the person responsible for the crimes.

On March 18th, the Lincoln County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Cunningham with one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Over 100 Images, two counts of Aggravated Sexual Exploitation – Over 25 Images, 32 counts of Especially Aggravated Production, 32 counts of Aggravated Unlawful Photography, 12 counts of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, and one count of Aggravated Child Abuse. Cunningham was booked into the Lincoln County jail on $1,000,000 bond. He subsequently bonded out of jail.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is an ICAC affiliate of the Tennessee ICAC Task Force. Anyone with information about these cases or other cases of online child exploitation should contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Tipline at 1-800-TBI-FIND, TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov, or report via the NCMEC CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org.

Parents seeking additional information about cybercrime, child exploitation, and how best to safeguard their loved ones can visit http://www.NetSmartz.org for a variety of topical, age-appropriate resources.

The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.

NOTE: There may be individuals with information that could help with this ongoing investigation. For that reason, the TBI is releasing Cunningham’s booking photograph and urges anyone with information to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Washington Man Indicted on 11 Counts of Sex Trafficking Children, Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material, and Forced Labor

For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Washington

Richland, Washington - Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that on April 2, 2025, a federal grand jury for the Eastern District of Washington returned an indictment charging Jonathan Michael Atkinson, age 34, with 11 criminal counts including Sex Trafficking Children, Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography, Online Enticement of a Minor, and Forced Labor. The criminal charges against Atkinson carry a maximum sentence of up to a lifetime in prison.

Atkinson was arrested on April 8, 2025, by the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, consisting of Homeland Security Investigations, Richland Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Additional assistance was provided by Pasco Police Department, ATF and DEA. Atkinson will be arraigned in federal court on April 10, 2025.

“The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Washington will continue to aggressively prosecute all versions of human trafficking,” stated Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker. “We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to seek justice for the most vulnerable among us.”

“Human trafficking is a heinous crime that preys on the most vulnerable members of our communities and the most effective way we can dismantle these criminal networks is through strong partnerships,” said Matthew Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Seattle. “HSI is proud to work alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect victims, bring traffickers to justice, and put an end to this exploitation.”

If members of the public have any information regarding this case, please contact the Pasco Police Department.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland and Stephanie A. Van Marter.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CyberTipline - NCMEC - Trinity Mount Ministries - REPORT CHILD ABUSE! REPORT CSAM! 1-800-843-5678

 

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                      Overview

NCMEC’s CyberTipline is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. The public and electronic service providers can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

Every child deserves a safe childhood.

What Happens to Information in a CyberTip?

NCMEC staff review each tip and work to find a potential location for the incident reported so that it may be made available to the appropriate law-enforcement agency for possible investigation. We also use the information from our CyberTipline reports to help shape our prevention and safety messages.

Is Your Image Out There?

Get Support

One of the worst things about having an explicit image online is feeling like you’re facing everything alone. But you have people who care for you and want to help. Reach out to them!

A trusted adult can offer advice, help you report, and help you deal with other issues. It could be your mom, dad, an aunt, a school counselor, or anyone you trust and are comfortable talking to. You can also “self report” by making a report on your own to the CyberTipline.

Families of exploited children often feel alone in their struggle and overwhelmed by the issues affecting their lives. NCMEC provides assistance and support to victims and families such as crisis intervention and local counseling referrals to appropriate professionals. Additionally, NCMEC’s Team HOPE is a volunteer program that connects families to others who have experienced the crisis of a sexually exploited child.

Don't Give Up

Having a sexually exploitative image of yourself exposed online is a scary experience. It can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, but remember, others have been in the same situation as you – and they’ve overcome it. Learn the steps you can take to limit the spread of the content.

By the Numbers

In 2023, reports made to the CyberTipline rose more than 12% from the previous year, surpassing 36.2 million reports.

There were 105,653,162 data files reported to the CyberTipline in 2023.

Reports of online enticement increased by more than 300% from 44,155 in 2021 to 186,819 in 2023. 

Find more data in the CyberTipline Report.

By the Numbers

In 2022:

Find more data in the CyberTipline Report.

More

Learn more about online exploitation and safety.

Coping with Child Sexual Abuse (CSAM) Exposure For Families

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Production and Active Trading of Child Sexual Exploitation Images Depicting Identified Victims

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Trends Identified in CyberTipline Sextortion Reports

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The Online Enticement of Children: An In-Depth Analysis of CyberTipline Reports

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How to Promote the CyberTipline on Your Website

Report It

If you think you have seen a missing child, or suspect a child may be sexually exploited, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Report Child Sexual Exploitation

Use the CyberTipline to report child sexual exploitation.

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