Hawai’i Island police arrested and charged 21-year-old Yasmine Michelle Lilia Butterfield, of Kalapana, with various domestic-related offenses following a violent altercation.
 
After conferring with Hawai’i County prosecutors, Area I Juvenile Aid Section detectives charged Butterfield with two counts of second-degree assault, abuse family household member, first-degree terroristic threatening, unlawful imprisonment, and interference with reporting an emergency.

The charges against Butterfield stem from an incident where Puna patrol officers responded to a report of a previous domestic abuse. The 20-year-old victim reported that on the previous night, he and his live-in girlfriend, Butterfield, were involved in an argument regarding the recent death of their 5-month-old son. He reported that during the argument, Butterfield told him that she killed their son. As the victim attempted to leave, Butterfield struck him several times with a wooden block, a metal broom stick, threatened him with a knife, and refused to allow him to call for help or leave the residence.

The following morning, Butterfield left the residence and the victim, who declined medical attention, was able to summon help and report these incidents to police.
   
On December 31, 2022, prior to the domestic-related incident, Puna patrol officers responded to a report of an unresponsive 5-month-old baby. HPD and HFD personnel met the parents, Butterfield and the victim of this incident, on Highway 130, while en route to the Pahoa Fire Station for medical assistance. The infant was transported via ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, and later pronounced dead.

During an autopsy, the forensic pathologist indicated the infant had evidence of life-threatening traumatic injuries; however, the final determination of the cause of death is pending additional testing.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing the infant death investigation.

HPD Photo