PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Two parents pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder by abuse in the death of their 5-year-old son.
Valisha Eteuati and Kalman Eteuati told doctors their child was hurt in a fall when they took him to the hospital back on June 14. The boy, Mahanarye Noa, died shortly after he arrived at the hospital.
The Oregon state medical examiner determined the cause of death to be "battered child syndrome," and police soon arrested the parents.
Lena Eteuati, Kalman's sister, said her family saw nothing to indicate anything was wrong with the couple and their child.
"If we knew something, we could have done something, or call somebody or ask somebody," she said. "If we knew something, we wouldn't just sit there and let these matters go on. That's why it's so shocking. It's like a bomb went off. No warning, no nothing to let us know that something was going on. We don't know."
She said Valisha Eteuati's side of the family has been granted temporary custody of the couple's other children.
The next court appearance for Valisha and Kalman Eteuati is scheduled for Aug. 9.
On Monday, Portland city flags will be lowered in honor of Mahanarye.
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