A tragic case of child abuse has shocked the community, as a mother and her partner face horrifying allegations following the death of a 3-year-old girl. Janae Perez, 25, and her girlfriend, Ashleigh Utley, 33, from Honolulu, Hawaii, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder, kidnapping, and endangering the welfare of a minor in connection with the death of Perez’s daughter, Sarai Perez, in June 2024.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Janae-Perez-and-Ashleigh-Utley-mugshots-030325-165684f7a4c54f02ba7251ae4e1c6d55.jpg)
Authorities revealed disturbing details of the abuse, stating that the couple limited the children’s intake of water and food, only allowing them eight ounces of water a day. The forensic pathologist confirmed that Sarai’s cause of death was due to dehydration and starvation. Additionally, it was uncovered that the children were subjected to physical abuse, including being hit with sticks and paddles all over their bodies, as well as on their faces and heads.
The tragic events unfolded when Honolulu Police Officers responded to a call about an unresponsive 3-year-old girl in cardiac arrest in June 2024. Sarai was found lifeless and was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital. The subsequent investigation revealed dark bruising all over her body, indicating long-term abuse. The other children in the household were also treated for extreme dehydration.
In the weeks leading up to Sarai’s death, it was reported that she was unwell with a cold and cough. On the day of her passing, she refused to eat, but her condition was dismissed by Utley, who referred to the child as a “whiner.” Utley mentioned that they used to discipline the children by spanking them, but later resorted to punishing them with unconventional methods, such as feeding them fish and sauerkraut.
Following the tragedy, Sarai’s siblings were placed under the care of Child Welfare Services. The legal representatives for Perez and Utley were unavailable for immediate comment. The community has been urged to report child abuse suspicions to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, emphasising the importance of safeguarding children’s welfare and well-being.
The harrowing case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child abuse and neglect. It highlights the critical need for vigilance and proactive intervention to protect vulnerable children from harm and ensure their safety. Such incidents underline the importance of raising awareness and fostering a culture of reporting any signs of abuse to prevent further tragedies from occurring.