On Saturday evening, April 9, 2022, detectives from the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Division arrested 50-year-old Monika Santos, 25-year-old Journee Cortez, and 31-year-old Paul Abiley Jr. for first-degree custodial interference after they turned themselves in at the Hilo Police Station. The three were suspects in a custodial interference investigation involving an 11-month-old infant, Alixea Fernandez-Santos. Journee Cortez was also arrested for third-degree assault as part of this investigation and an outstanding warrant of arrest for an unrelated incident.
After questioning, the three were released pending further investigation. Journee Cortez was charged for criminal contempt of court and released after posting $150 bail.
At 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 10, the infant was brought to the Pahoa Police Station by Cortez who assisted detectives in retrieving the child from the child’s father, Randall Santos II, who does not have custody of Alixea due to a valid family court order. Alixea was in good health and was placed into the custody of Child Welfare Services to determine the safest living situation for the infant.
On Sunday evening at 8:30 p.m., Randall Santos II turned himself in at the Kea‘au Police Station where he was arrested for first-degree custodial interference and violation of a temporary restraining order.
After conferring with the County Prosecutors Office on Monday, April 11, detectives charged Santos with first-degree custodial interference and two counts of violation of a temporary restraining order. He is being held on $7,000 bail pending his first court appearance on Tuesday, April 12.
The Hawai‘i Police Department thanks the public for their assistance in assisting with the safe return of Alixea.