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Honolulu Couple Talks About Starving Niece

Couple Says They Tried To Help 12-Year-Old Child

POSTED: 7:12 pm HST September 9, 2009
UPDATED: 8:05 pm HST September 9, 2009

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A Honolulu couple Wednesday talked about trying to help after seeing their malnourished niece.

The 12-year-old girl nearly starved to death and her parents are on trial for attempted murder.

Ilana and Dennis Wright weren't asked about regrets Wednesday, but must ask themselves daily if there was more they could have done.

Indigo Wright nearly starved to two years ago. Her parents, Denise and Melvin Wright, are on trial for attempted murder.

Melvin's brother and sister-in-law said when the family hadn't heard from Melvin and Denise Wright they insisted on seeing Indigo and were stunned.

"She seemed -- tiny -- like she needed to eat," Indigo's aunt Ilana Wright said.

Denise Wright told them Indigo didn't like to eat.

"I said, 'Well, something's not right. How can she just not like to eat? Have you guys taken her to the doctor to find out what's going on?' And she said, 'Well we don't have medical for a doctor,'" said Dennis Wright.

After Ilana and Dennis Wright delivered groceries, a computer, and a bed to the Wright's Kinau Street apartment, they said the Wrights seemed to grow more and more resistant to their offers of help.

"It seemed like maybe we were being just too pushy about it," said Dennis Wright.

His brother, Melvin Wright, who lived with a girlfriend, seemed indifferent.

"It was more along the lines of, 'What do you want me to do about it -- you know I am not living there,'" said Dennis Wright.

Denise Wright's defense attorney asked why they didn't call state child protective services.

"We struggled with it because if you call CPS and nothing's wrong then you look like a person who is trying to tear a family apart," Dennis Wright said.

Melvin Wright blamed his wife Denise for what happened and she blamed him and mental illness. Indigo is now healthy and living with grandparents on the mainland.

The trial should last into next week.

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