Father of missing toddler charged for second-degree murder; bail set at $2M

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The father of a toddler who has been missing for two weeks was charged Monday with second-degree murder in connection with her disappearance.

Bail for 40-year-old Travis Rodrigues has been set at $2 million.

There still has been no sign of the child and authorities have not divulged any circumstances of the crime.

“On behalf of the Mora and Ancog family we are very grateful to hear that charges were filed today against Mr. Rodrigues and Mr. Carter and that we feel that their bail amounts (are) adequate,” family spokesperson Shawna Delos Santos said in a written statement Monday night.

“Since Kytana has not yet been located the family is still asking for the public’s help in bringing her home. If anyone has any information at all please call HPD.”

Legal experts said the case is likely based on statements that Rodrigues made to his relatives about 18-month-old Kytana Ancog’s whereabouts.

“Given what’s happened already in the case, if there were some admissions of responsibility or some type of explanation to a family member justifying what happened, that’s certainly more than enough to charge the case,” said defense attorney Myles Breiner.

“He was responsible for the child’s wellbeing and the child has disappeared.”

Authorities nabbed Rodrigues on Saturday in Honokai Hale and took him in for questioning in connection to the disappearance of his daughter, baby Kytana. By Saturday afternoon, HPD announced he was arrested, suspected of murdering the girl.

Police have also arrested and charged a second suspect — 48-year-old Scott M. Carter — for first-degree hindering prosecution. His bail has been set at $1 million.

Kytana was last seen Jan. 31 when her mother, Ashley Ancog, dropped her off at Rodrigues’ Aiea home.

On Friday night, police and K9 units searched that home along Kaulainahe’e Place.

Loved ones have been frantic in searching for the missing toddler, asking for any sign that may lead to her location. Some have said they feared the worst.

[Read a previous report: Intense search underway for missing toddler last seen 2 weeks ago]

HNN reached out to Ancog’s relatives, but they had no immediate comment. Leroy Rodrigues Sr., Rodrigues’ grandfather and head of Island-Wide Mortuary Services, also declined comment.

Rodrigues is a convicted felon with a long criminal history involving offenses for drugs and firearms.

CrimeStoppers Honolulu said the reason a Maile Amber Alert was not issued for this case is because early on, there was no indication the toddler was abducted and facing immediate danger.

Anyone with information on the case should call 955-8300. You may remain anonymous.

This story will be updated.

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