Captain Cook Couple Kept Teenager Chained on Lanai, Prosecutor Says

A Captain Cook couple is facing charges after allegedly leaving a 14-year-old child chained up on a lanai porch on and off for the past year.

Forty-seven-year-old Alexander Aquino and his wife, 37-year-old Amy, are accused of first-degree unlawful imprisonment, a class B felony, and a misdemeanor offense of persistent nonsupport (knowingly failed to provide support to a minor whom they are legally obligated to support). The more serious offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Hawaiʻi County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray said the child is now in the custody of Child Welfare Services.

Murray said the Aquinos, who had legal custody of the teen, allegedly left the child chained up on the lanai, sometimes when no one was home and occasionally at night. Murray said there is no evidence of further abuse at this time.

“I don’t think you could treat a dog like this, let alone a child,” Murray said.

Charges were filed in 3rd Circuit Court on Sept. 14. Three days later, the couple made their initial appearance in Kona Circuit Court before Judge Wendy DeWeese who granted defense counsel’s request for supervised release.

Murray did not object to supervised release for Amy Aquino considering she had no prior convictions, coupled with the ongoing issues with COVID-19 within Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center.

However, the prosecutor did object to the release of Alexander Aquino. According to court records, the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to abuse of household or family member, a misdemeanor, in 2010. Murray hoped to have bail maintained.

Alexander and Amy Aquino were ordered to appear for their jury trials set on Feb. 1, 2022.