Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Hilo woman, 31-year-old Frances Hartman (“Hartman”), was charged with attempted murder, custodial interference, terroristic threatening, and violation of an order for protection.
The charges stem from an August 31, 2022 incident that occurred in the Komohana Gardens subdivision. Hartman is alleged to have threatened her 77-year-old father-in-law, who was caring for Hartman’s one-year-old daughter and later struck him with a knife causing a serious laceration to his abdomen. Hartman then took the child, whom she is prohibited to have contact with by court order, and fled the scene on foot. Hartman was arrested a short time later at a nearby neighborhood park. The child was unharmed and returned to her lawful guardians.
As the Complaint alleges, Hartman was charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree (intentionally engaged in conduct, the use of a bladed instrument or knife to slice, cut, tear, and/or lacerate the abdomen area of another person, which, under the circumstances, as she believed them to be, constituted a substantial step in the course of conduct intended or known to cause the death of another person), Custodial Interference in the First Degree (took, enticed, concealed or detained a minor less than eleven years old, from that minor’s lawful custodian, knowing that she had no right to do so), Violation of an Order for Protection, and Terroristic Threatening in the Second Degree. Prosecutors have provided notice to seek an extended term of imprisonment, alleging that Hartman is an offender against the elderly. Attempted Murder in the Second Degree usually carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. An extended prison term would mean that Hartman would face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have also provided notice of an intention to seek a mandatory prison term in accordance with statutory sentencing guidelines in relation to imprisonment for offenses against the elderly.
Hartman is scheduled to make her initial appearance on Friday afternoon in Hilo District Court. At this time, Hartman remains in custody in lieu of $1,020,000.00 bail.
The investigation was initiated by South Hilo Patrol, and the felony investigation was handled by Detective Gavin Kagimoto, Area I Juvenile Aid Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys Kevin Hashizaki and Kirsten Selvig.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
