Fetus Discovered at Kahului Waste Water Facility, Deemed Non-Criminal
By Wendy Osher
Maui police investigated the discovery on Friday, May 22, 2015, of a fetus at the Kahului-Wailuku Waste Water Treatment Plant. Authorities have since determined that the fetus, which measured 7-inches “was most likely the result of a miscarriage being flushed into the sewage system.” Police say the case has since been deemed “non-criminal in nature.”
Police say a county worker at the facility made the discovery at around 1:13 p.m. reporting that they observed what appeared to be a fetus in the waste water catchment receptacle. Police responded to the location and confirmed the discovery.
According to police reports, the gender of the fetus was undetermined, and the location of where the fetus originated from is unknown.
Maui Police Lieutenant William Juan said the Criminal Investigation Division took over the investigation and conferred with the Prosecutor’s Office. The case has since been deemed “non-criminal in nature.”
The determination was made based on Hawaiʻi Revised Statute (707-700), which defines a “Person” as a human being who has been born and is alive.
Police say a full autopsy could not be conducted on the fetus due to its size. Police say an examination by the Medical Examiner’s Office determined the fetus could not have survived outside of the womb.
No further information was available at last report.