HONOLULU — A Hawaii father told police he hit, shook and squeezed his 18-month-old daughter and then placed her lifeless body in a duffel bag before arranging for another man to dispose of it, court documents said.
Travis Rodrigues, 40, was charged this week with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Kytana Ancog. He told police he does not know where the girl’s body is.
Rodrigues told investigators that Kytana was coughing on Feb. 4 when he began to hit her in the face and shake her before “squeezing her against his chest” until she became unconscious, according to court documents released Tuesday.
A message left with a court-appointed attorney for Rodrigues was not immediately returned.
The girl’s mother, Ashley Ancog, had dropped her off with Rodrigues at his Oahu home on Jan. 31, police said.
A witness alleged that Rodrigues, who is also known as Travis Heffelinger and Travis Heffelfinger, was high on methamphetamine at the time of his daughter’s death.
Rodrigues also tried to give her a meth pipe and said, “That’s what she like,” the witness said.
The attack left Kytana bruised and bleeding from her mouth, but Rodrigues allegedly told the witness that the blood was chocolate and she had fallen in the shower.
Police said Rodrigues told them he had made arrangements “to dispose the body.” He said he wrapped her in a bedsheet and placed her in a duffel bag, according to court documents.
Investigators said an acquaintance identified as Scott Michael Carter came to Rodrigues’ house and agreed to give him a ride.
Carter, 48, dropped off Rodrigues at another home, with the duffel bag still in the vehicle. Court documents say Carter told Rodrigues: “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”
Police arrested Rodrigues on Saturday, and his bail has been set at $2 million.
Police arrested Carter later that night. He was charged with first-degree hindering prosecution and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
It is unknown if Carter has hired a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Both men have felony criminal records. Rodrigues served time in federal prison for drug and weapons convictions. Carter has five convictions for vehicle theft and two convictions for burglary.
