Veteran Maui Officer Charged in Alleged Abuse

Nelson Johnson. Photo courtesy MPD.

By Maui Now Staff

An 18-year veteran police officer on Maui was arrested and released after being charged with abuse of a family or household member, for an incident involving the injury of his 13-year-old daughter, police said.

Nelson Johnson, 46, was placed under arrest at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and has since posted $1,000 bail, according to police reports.

The charge stems from an incident reported at 9:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in which the child’s mother reported that the girl was allegedly slapped by her father following a verbal argument, which caused the victim to fall backward and hit her head on a wall-mounted air conditioning unit, according to police reports.

The child was transported to the Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment, where Maui police say it was learned that she had sustained a concussion.  The girl was later released and was last reported in good condition, according to police reports.

Johnson was also placed under arrest for second-degree assault; however, police say he was released pending further investigation of that particular charge.

Johnson is on administrative leave pending further investigation, police said.