Hawai‘i Island couple facing charges of child abuse, sex assault of juvenile

A couple from Pāhoa is facing charges of sexual assault and child abuse of a juvenile following a months-long investigation by Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Juvenile Aid Section.

Chesiree A.K. Canite, 37, and Chancen Micah-Kaikane Schutter, 34, were indicted by a Hilo Grand Jury on Dec. 29, 2025, for alleged abuse that occurred in July 2025.

Following the indictment, detectives attempted to locate both parties at their Pāhoa residence, however, it was learned that Canite had traveled to O‘ahu, according to a press release from Hawai‘i Island police on Wednesday. With assistance from the Honolulu Police Department, Canite was located and arrested without incident on Dec. 31, 2025.

Schutter turned himself in at the Hilo Police Station this morning (Wednesday).

Bail for Canite was initially set at $250,000. On Jan. 2, she was arraigned in Third Circuit Court and released on bail conditions, including electronic monitoring. The 37-year-old was indicted on the following charges:

• First-degree promotion of child abuse
• Two counts of first-degree sexual assault
• Two counts of third-degree sexual assault

Bail for Schutter was also set at $250,000. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Wednesday afternoon in Hilo District Court. He was charged with the following offenses:

• First-degree promotion of child abuse
• Two counts of first-degree sexual assault
• Two counts of third-degree sexual assault

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding these individuals and associated investigations to contact Detective Jenny Lee of the Area I Juvenile Aid Section in Hilo, at 808-961-2279, or via email at Jenny.Lee@hawaiipolice.gov.

Anyone with additional information related to this matter or other suspected crimes involving minors is urged to contact law enforcement and/or appropriate child protection authorities.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to Caller ID.

This story will be updated following the court hearing Wednesday afternoon.