Attorney amazed at support for child-abuse suspect in Eagle Mountain case
Attorney amazed at support for child-abuse suspect in Eagle Mountain case
Oct. 31, 2008
Sara Israelsen-Hartley
Deseret News
PROVO — The attorney for a man charged with abusing and starving his girlfriend's niece and nephew said the family network for his client has been incredible.
"This guy has the best support I've ever seen," said defense attorney David Drake, about his client Sekoa Aiono. "They're behind their brother ... uncle, cousin, 100 percent. Their heritage is Samoan. I find that Polynesian people are very supportive of their families. They have unconditional love for each other."
Aiono and his girlfriend, Mary Heath, each face a charge of aggravated sex abuse of a child, a first-degree felony, and nine counts of child abuse, a second-degree felony, which stem from the discovery of two malnourished children at their home in Eagle Mountain.
Family members and friends have twice filled 4th District courtrooms, the first time on Oct. 22, when Aiono and Heath were officially charged then again Thursday, when Aiono's private attorney made his appearance. On Oct. 22, Aiono had been approved for a court-appointed attorney.
Drake and Heath's attorney, Ann Boyle, both left with packets nearly two-inches thick that contain all the reports, pictures and medical information in the case. They'll be back in court Nov. 13.
Prosecutor Craig Johnson said it's a larger stack than most cases because of the number of agencies involved.
When a neighbor called 911 on Oct. 14 to report a nearly naked young girl wandering around her backyard, covering up with newspaper to keep warm, every agency jumped to help, Johnson said.
Police soon learned the 9-year-old girl had escaped from a bathroom window 12 feet above the ground and that her younger brother, 8, was locked in a separate bathroom. Previous stories indicated the boy was 6 years old but police have since learned his correct age.
Investigators said when officers found the boy he was so malnourished they thought he was dead.
The children were immediately taken to the hospital and into state custody. Although Johnson couldn't comment on their conditions, he asked for "prayers" in their behalf, adding that he hopes they have as much support as does Aiono.
Police later tracked down Heath, who said she had been attending a football game and going out to dinner in Salt Lake County. When Aiono was arrested he allegedly said they regularly locked the children in the bathroom, withheld food and even beat them with a belt, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.
A subsequent medical examination revealed evidence of sexual abuse to the 8-year-old boy.
There's a third 4-year-old sibling who was not abused, but is also in state custody.