HONOLULU (KHON2) — The aunt of a North Shore girl who died after authorities said she was severely abused told KHON2 she thought the girl’s adoptive parents were the perfect fit and the girl would be safe. Instead, she’s left with so many questions.
Relatives of 11-year-old Azaeliyah Pili Ah You can’t believe she’s gone and wish they had done more.
“We weren’t in the best place to take her at the time, like she could have struggled with us and still been alive,” said Hai Acevedo, Azaeliyah’s aunt. “You know, like we would have been able to make it happen.”
Azaeliyah died in December 2023. Her adoptive mother, Sina Pili, is charged with manslaughter, accused of beating her to death.
“I really thought that she was safe,” said Acevedo. “I never would have thought any of this would have happened.”
Hai Acevedo is Azaeliyah’s aunt. Cousins with her biological mom, who passed away a few years ago. She’s also related to Pili’s husband, Davis Pili, who has not been arrested or charged in connection with this case.
Even Acevedo admits that on paper, the Pilis were the perfect fit.
Davis Pili is a bailiff whose family is well-known in the community. Sina Pili was a teacher in the DOE and was working on her PhD while raising Azaeliyah and four other adopted children.
During her bail hearing, Pili’s attorney, Miles Breiner, asked the court-appointed guardian about Pili’s relationship with her four other adopted children.
“Is there any evidence whatsoever that the children have ever been abused? None,” replied Sheri Ritter, attorney/guardian ad Litem. “Any evidence that the children have ever been malnourished? None. Tortured? No. Are the kids, based on you being the GAL, would you describe them as thriving? Absolutely.”
“If you couldn’t handle her after you took her in, why adopt her?” asked Acevedo. “Why even take those steps to keep her if you couldn’t handle it, like, I just don’t. She would have been better off waiting for us in the system until somebody was ready to take her.”
Acevedo currently lives on the Big Island, but lived near Azaeliyah for years. She said her oldest daughter and Azaeliyah were like two peas in a pod growing up. Now, she has to explain why her cousin is gone.
“It’s just so sad because kids are so innocent, and you try to preserve the innocence in them, you know, and having to tell them that their cousin died like that was the hardest thing that I had to do,” said Acevedo.
Pili’s trial is scheduled for May.
“What do you hope the outcome is? I hope she goes to jail,” said Acevedo. “I hope she gets stuck in jail. I do, I hope justice is served.”