August 13, 2002:
A person caring for Chanco's then 11-year-old boy alleges that Chanco has abused and neglected her son, and requests power of attorney. According to documents, Chanco, unemployed and five months pregnant, had left the child with the caretaker a month earlier while trying to secure housing. Social Services initially cannot contact Chanco because her phone number at a Noeau Street home is disconnected. Social Services later contacts Chanco, who agrees to give power of attorney to the caretaker. Chanco is attending weekend classes on paralegal work at Chaminade University.

December 2002:
Chanco marries a man known to be a drug dealer. She also gives birth to a boy. However, her new husband is not the boy's father, but the boy carries his name.

December 28, 2002:
During a routine traffic stop, police officers find Chanco's 11-year-old son with a man identified only as Chanco's friend. Police officers find drugs allegedly in the man's possession and give the child to his hanai aunt, Chanco's brother's ex-girlfriend. Chanco, who denies knowing her friend had drugs on him, says she left her son with him when she went on an errand with her newborn.

January 7, 2003:
Chanco visits the home of a relative, who notices Chanco almost dropping the newborn baby and says the baby's head was "flopping all around." She also says the baby's formula was "way too hot" when Chanco tried to feed him. Chanco also allegedly made statements that she did not want to keep the baby.

January 9, 2003:
A complaint is filed against Chanco and her then-husband that they allegedly have neglected and abused her 11-year-old son and a newborn. Social Services later concludes that a protective services investigation is necessary because of Chanco's and her husband's drug history and signs showing she is becoming detached from her newborn.

January 13, 2003:
Child Protective Services contacts officials with Heeia Elementary School, where one of Chanco's children is enrolled. The principal tells them the child is attending school every day and doing well. The child is back with his mother. However, school officials say his aunt has been his primary caregiver for most of his life.

May 5, 2003:
Chanco, who says she is sober, tells Child Protective Services she will make appropriate child care arrangements in the future. Child Protective Services warns there could be an intervention involving Family Court if there are future complaints.

February 7, 2006:
Chanco gives birth to her third child, Cyrus Belt.

February 9, 2006:
Child Protective Services confirms there is a threat of abuse and neglect of Cyrus Belt by his mother. The case is referred to Home-Based Support Services.

April 11, 2006:
The Home-Based Support Services closes Chanco's case. In a report dated May 16 written by a family services assistant, Chanco is described as an "attractive and intelligent woman" who seems to be an "intuitive parent." Chanco worked as a surgical technician with a dental surgeon and had hoped to return to the same job, the report says. Chanco lives with her father and stepmother, her boyfriend, her landlord's son and his girlfriend in a home. Chanco's other two minor children do not live with her.

May 26, 2006:
An anonymous caller reports concerns over Chanco and her family, saying they live in a "notorious drug house" and that Chanco is not home often and leaves Cyrus with his grandfather. The caller says the family might have "run out of money" and wonders whether there is enough food at home.

June 6, 2006:
A neighbor calls a state child welfare hot line and says Chanco leaves Cyrus alone for three to four days at a time with his grandfather, who is elderly and incapable of caring for the newborn.

June 16, 2006:
A relative files a complaint against Chanco, alleging that she leaves Cyrus with his grandfather while she uses drugs. The aunt also alleges that Chanco uses her welfare checks to purchase drugs and that the house has no electricity for at least two days. The family also allegedly fights frequently, presumably in front of Cyrus. Chanco had called the aunt for help, and after not hearing from Chanco in two days, the aunt called the Department of Human Services.

June 19, 2006:
Cyrus -- then 4 months old -- is placed in foster care for four days after police officers allege that Chanco has put her child in danger because her drug problems prevent her from caring for him properly.

August 10, 2006:
Child Protective Services closes the case for Chanco, saying she has been consistent in unannounced home meetings with a family services assistant.

In a report, the Department of Human Services notes through several home visits, the "home has been deemed safe and mother/child has a strong, secure and happy bond."

July 2, 2007:
Child Protective Services terminates services, closing the case, for Chanco.

January 11, 2008:
A complaint is filed against Chanco, alleging that there has been a threat of abuse and neglect of Cyrus. Child Protective Services reopens the Chanco case and forwards the case to Voluntary Case Management Services. The report notes that there have been no immediate safety issues identified and that the family is facing challenges that could be controlled by Chanco's substance abuse treatment and other relatives for help.

Thursday (January 17, 2008)
Cyrus dies after being thrown onto the H-1 freeway from a pedestrian bridge. Earlier that day, Cyrus is found wandering by police, who bring him back to his grandfather. The grandfather allows a neighbor to take Cyrus for a walk, according to police, which leads to his death.
The report notes that the suspect, Matthew Higa, appears to have mental health issues and has been observed "spitting, kicking and behaving irrationally."

In an interview with officials at the Queen's Medical Center, Chanco says she has been sober for a long time and is willing to take a drug test to prove it. She promises to never allow any of her children to go off with anyone again.

Return To Cyrus's Story
Read About Memorials And The Funeral For Cyrus
Read A Timeline Of Events Surrounding The life Of Cyrus

Call this number to report child abuse ANY WHERE in the United States!
1-800-4-A-Child  1-800-422-4453

Share this page with your family and friends!

Your Name: 

Your E-mail Address: 

Family Or Friends E-mail address: 

This button will take viewers to the page you are viewing right now.
NOTE: ALL e-mail addresses are kept confidential.
NEVER harvested and NEVER shared with anyone
other than who YOU send this page to.

My sincerest appreciation goes out to Diane Trembly for allowing me to use one
of her beautiful Angels to make the graphics for this set. Please visit her site,
by clicking the link below, to see all of her amazing work.