Kona psychologist sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing teenage patient

(BIVN) – The Hawaii Island child psychologist who pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Kona District Court on Friday.

Reuben Lelah, 71, of Kailua Kona, admitted to sexually abusing an underage patient between June and December 2019.

From Hawaii County Attorney Kelden Waltjen:

The court sentenced Lelah to ten years in prison for each count of second degree sexual assault and ordered that the sentences be served consecutively for a total of twenty years. Lelah, who was held out of custody on $40,000.00 bail for the duration of the trial, was then ordered to be immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

On March 15, 2024, Lelah appeared in Kona District Court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree sexual assault. Second-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony that carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

Hawaii News Now reported that Lelah also confessed to committing sex crimes against other underage patients, and those cases are currently being investigated by police.

Citing the Loving Service Foundation’s website, which has since been taken offline, the news portal reported that Lelah had treated children and adolescents “who were dying or suffering from chronic illnesses” for nearly two decades.

The investigation was led by Detective Scott Dewey, Juvenile Services Division, and assisted by Sergeant Brandon Mansur, Community Policing Division, who was previously assigned to the Juvenile Services Division, Division II, Hawaii Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Annaliese Wolf.

The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to pursuing justice with integrity and dedication. Anyone with information that can assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.