KEALAKEKUA — A District Court judge granted a mental health examination for a Kailua-Kona woman accused of attempting to take a child away from a Kealakehe Elementary School classroom.
On Tuesday, Kehaulani Rubio, 42, appeared before Judge Margaret Masunaga for her initial appearance on a charge of first-degree custodial interference, a class C felony. According to Hawaii Police, a woman, later identified to be Rubio, attempted to physically remove a child from a classroom on Monday morning while school was in session. A staff member intervened and prevented Rubio from taking the child.
“Contact with the child’s family members indicates that the woman is not known to them, and had no authorization to remove the child,” police stated.
“We did receive reports that she has connections to that particular school,” said Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner, Tuesday, “not to that child, but to that school.”
School officials did send a letter home to parents on Monday. It indicated that an incident occurred at 8 a.m.
“The Hawaii Police Department responded immediately,” the letter states. “The school is cooperating with their investigation.”
The letter also commends students, parents, teachers and staff for their cooperation.
“The well-being of our students is a shared effort and we appreciate your help as we work together to keep our campus safe and secure,” the letter states.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Rubio’s counsel, Matthew Sylva, requested that a fitness examination be conducted before the court proceeds.
Deputy Prosecutor Timothy Rodes didn’t object to the exam as long as bail was maintained at $10,000.
Sylva argued that Rubio hadn’t been diagnosed with anything at this time and the charge is an accusation. He added she has a stable residence and is not a flight risk.
Masunaga maintained bail at $10,000. If she posts bail, the judge ordered conditions that Rubio not contact the 5-year-old child and remain 100 yards away from her at all times.
Masunaga also ordered that she remain 500 yards away from Kealakehe Elementary.
Rubio is scheduled to appear next in court on Sept. 26.
At Kealakehe Elementary on Tuesday, parents West Hawaii Today spoke with were concerned over Monday’s turn of events.
Ruth Note has a 7-year-old child who attends the school. She learned about the incident through Facebook and read about it when she got the parent letter from school officials.
“I was really shocked when I heard about it,” she said. “I think they (the school) should have their own security.”
While the circumstances on Monday are disconcerting, Wagner said, kidnappings are rare for Hawaii.
“That virtually never happens in the State of Hawaii,” he said. “It’s unusual behavior from that female party.”