WYATT VAN NESS BARNES

Born October 24, 2022: Wyatt was a bright, happy, smart, joyful two-year-old boy. He loved riding motorcycles with his dad. He called them "Braaaps Braaaps." Wyatt would say to people: "I'm so proud of you."

August 2, 2025: Wyatt's ohana was camping at the Poli Poli cabin on Maui. Wyatt's parents & two uncles were playing cornhole in the backyard. Wyatt was playing with another child inside the cabin; being supervised by that child's father.

Wyatt's parents could see the kids playing on the top bunk bed inside the cabin (from the yard). His mother could touch his hand through the screen window; that is how close they were. No more than 10 minutes later, the other child came outside. Wyatt's mother asked "where is Wyatt?" That child smirked & laughed. Mom went into the cabin, found the other child's father hiding in the bedroom with the door closed. She asked him "where is Wyatt?" he did NOT respond. 

Wyatt's mom noticed the other child's eyes look in the direction of where Wyatt was. Mom found Wyatt outside, laying face down, unresponsive, on top of a cooler with his head inside another cooler. She screamed for her husband. He immediately started CPR, while an uncle called 911. The other dad started his truck, left his belongings, & fled the scene with his child. A helicopter took Wyatt to Maui Memorial. The Maui Police Department did NOT appropriately handle evidence. They have treated Wyatt's death as an accident even though the medical examiner told them Wyatt's death was very suspicious & needed to be investigated as a homicide. 

The other child's dad immediately hired a lawyer, refused to take a polygraph test, & would not allow his child to be interviewed by a professional psychologist. The detective assigned to Wyatt's case has been nothing short of disappointing & retired early without saying a word. Wyatt's ohana wants answers. Answers for closure & to help prevent this tragedy from happening to another child. They want accountability & justice for their baby boy, who's life was taken too soon.