Father confessed to hitting and shaking toddler Kytana Ancog, court documents say
Travis Rodrigues confessed to hitting and shaking his 18-month-old daughter who became unresponsive, Honolulu police said in court documents charging him with second-degree murder in the toddler’s death.
Rodrigues placed her lifeless body in a duffel bag and left her in a vehicle driven by a suspected accomplice, according to police.
Rodrigues, 40, also known as Travis Heffelinger and Travis Heffelfinger, made an initial appearance before Judge Frances Wong at Family Court in Honolulu District Court today via video conferencing from the courthouse cellblock after prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder in the death of Kytana Ancog.
His bail is set at $2 million.
Ancog was last seen Jan. 31 after the baby’s mother dropped her off with Rodrigues at an Aiea home.
Court documents said Ancog was coughing on Feb. 4 when Rodrigues allegedly began to hit her in the face and shook her before “squeezing her against his chest.” She became unconscious and appeared lifeless.
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Police said Rodrigues confessed that he made arrangements “to dispose the body.” He allegedly wrapped her in a bed sheet and placed her body in a duffel bag, the documents said.
An acquaintance, identified as Scott Michael Carter, met Rodrigues in the garage of the Aiea home and agreed to give him a ride.
Carter, 48, dropped him off at another acquaintance’s home while the duffel bag was left in the vehicle, according to charging documents. Carter allegedly told Rodrigues: “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it,” the documents said.
Rodrigues told police he does not know Ancog’s current whereabouts.
Police arrested Rodrigues in Honokai Hale Saturday afternoon on suspicion of murder.
Authorities also arrested Carter that night. He was charged Monday with first-degree hindering prosecution and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
The court documents say a witness told police investigators that Rodrigues slapped and kicked Ancog and tried to give her a methamphetamine pipe.
The witness also observed bruising to different parts of her body and bruising and blood near Ancog’s mouth. Rodrigues allegedly told the individual that the blood was chocolate and that the girl had fallen in the shower.
The witness told police Rodrigues appeared “high” at the time.
Rodrigues has served time in federal prison for felony drug and weapon convictions.
His criminal history also includes three misdemeanor convictions for theft and terroristic threatening, according to the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
Carter has a criminal record of five felony convictions for vehicle theft and two felony convictions for burglary. His criminal history also includes two misdemeanor convictions for abuse of a family or household member and assault.