FOUND: Missing Baby Located in Alleged Kidnapping

Family members of the suspect met authorities at the Wailuku Police Station on Thursday morning. Photo by Wendy Osher.

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8gKGahrZA /] By Wendy Osher

(Update: 2:30 p.m. 8/9/13)

Maui police issued an update to this case saying Riana Lee was charged on unrelated incidents of abuse of a family or household member and first-degree terroristic threatening.

Maui Police Lt. William Juan said Lee turned herself in at the Wailuku Police Station where she was arrested and was being held in lieu of $2,000 in connection with the unrelated charges.

(Update: 12:54 p.m. 8/8/13)

A missing Maui infant has since been located and is in good health, according to Maui police who launched a kidnapping case following a confrontation between two adult females in Wailuku last night.

Family members tell us that the baby, 8-month-old Lilikoi Ibara, is safe and that Riana Lee, the suspect, turned herself into authorities before noon today.

Police say the incident stemmed from a confrontation at the Mako’s Mart and gas station in Wailuku at around 6:30 last night. According to police, the vehicle Lee was driving, was located a short time later, abandoned at a Wailuku restaurant.

Family members of Lee allege that the confrontation involved the use of a vehicle that sustained damage in the incident.  Family members also claim the baby was dropped off for a sleepover on Tuesday, and discount allegations that the baby was kidnapped.

Makos Mart in Wailuku. Photo by Wendy Osher.

According to family members the two women had a long-time relationship and have gotten into spats in the past, but nothing to this degree.

The other woman involved in the confrontation, the baby’s mother, was identified as a 34-year-old woman from Pukalani.

Maui police say the baby is safe and was unharmed in the incident.

Maui Police Lt. William Juan said the Criminal Investigation Division did not issue a Maile Alert (Amber Alert) due to this case not meeting the Alert guidelines.

“CID has spoken with the Missing Children’s Center recently, who were aware and agreed that parts of this case did not meet the threshold,” said Lt. Juan.

“Also that the victim did not feel her child was in danger… however it was a concern for the police to find the child and make sure the child was fine,” said Juan in a media statement.

Riana Lee. Photo courtesy MPD.

(Update: 11:55 a.m. 8/8/13)

The missing infant has been located and is in good health and doing fine, police said.

Maui police Lieutenant William Juan said the infant is in the hands of authorities at this time.

Family members tell Maui Now that baby is safe and that Riana Lee turned herself into authorities before noon today.

(Posted: 8/8/13)

Maui police are requesting the public’s help in locating a 21-year-old Wailuku woman suspected in an alleged kidnapping case involving an 8-month-old child, authorities said.

Police say Riana Lee is wanted for questioning involving an alleged confrontation with a 34-year-old woman from Pukalani, reported shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Mako Gas station in Wailuku.

According to police, Lee allegedly fled with the victim’s child, identified as Lilikoi Ibara, in a gray Honda sedan following the confrontation.

Police say the vehicle was located a short time later, abandoned at a Wailuku restaurant.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lee or the child, are asked to call 911. Police say Lee should not be approached.

Suspect, Riana Lee, with infant, Lilikoi Ibara. Photo courtesy MPD.