HONOLULU, Hawaii — She adopted five children. She taught college courses on social work. And on Wednesday, she stood in a Honolulu courtroom sobbing — sentenced to 10 years in prison for beating her 11-year-old daughter to death.
Sina Pili was convicted in the death of Azaeliyah Pili-Ah You, whose injured and unconscious body was found at the family’s Laie home in 2023.
What Prosecutors Say She Did
Authorities say Pili forced Azaeliyah to run outside while the child was simultaneously battling COVID-19, the flu, and pneumonia.
She then beat Azaeliyah for approximately 30 minutes.
The girl was found covered in injuries from head to toe.
Before her sentence was read, Pili broke down in tears in court.
“Azaeliyah, I’m sorry baby for everything. Please forgive me for what I’ve done,” she said.
Circuit Court Judge Rowena Somerville sentenced Pili to 10 years with credit for time served. A plea deal had been reached to help bring some closure to Azaeliyah’s surviving siblings, who were removed from the home after her death.
Outrage On Both Sides
The sentence satisfied no one.
Pili’s relatives say 10 years is too long. Azaeliyah’s birth family says it is nowhere near enough.
The tension boiled over into a confrontation between both families outside the courtroom.
“This is like telling people you can beat your sick child until they die,” said one of Azaeliyah’s biological relatives.
Pili’s attorney has announced plans to appeal, arguing she should have received probation.
Azaeliyah was 11 years old.
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