East Hawai‘i man facing charges after reportedly hitting son with propane blow torch

A Mountain View man is out on bail after assaulting his wife and striking his adult son on the head with a propane blow torch causing a skull fracture.

Stanton Anson Joaquin, 41, was taken into custody Wednesday morning after Hawai‘i Island police responded to a residence on Kaniela Road on a report of a domestic dispute.

Puna patrol officers were called to the home shortly before 1 a.m. Through the course of their investigation, Hawai‘i Island police determined that during an argument, Joaquin reportedly struck his wife twice in the face with a closed-fist punch and threatened to burn the house down while lighting a propane blow torch.

The incident was witnessed by the couple’s two children, ages 10 and 15.

According to police, Joaquin then reportedly struck his 21-year-old son on the head with the propane blow torch causing a skull fracture and partial paralysis to the left side of his body. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, the son was transported to the Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu for further treatment where he remains hospitalized in stable condition at this time.

On Thursday morning, March 21, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives from the Area I Juvenile Aid Section charged Joaquin with the following offenses:

• First-degree assault
• Abuse family household member (in the presence of a minor)
• First-degree terroristic threatening
• Abuse family household member

Joaquin’s bail was set at $22,000, which he posted and was given a court date for April 16, in Hilo District Court.