Three Arrested, Father of Infant Charged in Custodial Interference Investigation

Three people were arrested and a fourth man is being charged in connection with a custodial interference investigation involving an infant.

According to a media release from the Hawai‘i Police Department, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Division on Saturday, April 9, arrested 50-year-old Monika Santos, 25-year-old Journee Cortez and 31-year-old Paul Abiley Jr. for first-degree custodial interference after they turned themselves in at the Hilo Police Station. The three were suspects in a custodial interference investigation involving an 11-month-old infant, Alixea Fernandez-Santos.

Cortez was also arrested for third-degree assault as part of this investigation and on an outstanding warrant for her arrest in an unrelated incident.

According to the release, the three were released after questioning, pending further investigation. Cortez was charged for criminal contempt of court and released after posting $150 bail.

Police said in the release that at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, April 10, the infant was brought to the Pāhoa Police Station by Cortez, who assisted detectives in retrieving Alixea from the her father, Randall Santos II, who does not have custody of her because of a valid Family Court order. Alixea was in good health and was placed into the custody of Child Welfare Services.

At 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Santos turned himself in at the Kea‘au Police Station, where he was arrested, according to the media release. After conferring with the county prosecutor’s office, detectives subsequently charged Santos on Monday, April 11, with first-degree custodial interference and two counts of violation of a temporary restraining order.

Santos is being detained on $7,000 bail, pending his first court appearance Tuesday, April 12.

The Hawai‘i Police Department thanks the public for its assistance with the safe return of Alixea.