Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 41-year-old Stanton Anson Joaquin, of Mountain View, with various domestic-related offenses following a violent incident at a residence on Kaniela Road, early Wednesday morning, March 20, 2024.
Shortly before 1:00 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a residence on Kaniela Road for a reported domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers 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.
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 Queens Medical Center on Oahu 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 Tuesday, April 16, in Hilo District Court.