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23 year-old mother pleads not guilty for death of her one-year-old

Auto’a Tiatia Maisa (right) talking with her lawyer outside
Source: Talamua Online

Apia, SAMOA — The 23 year old mother who is facing manslaughter charges for the death of her one year old pleaded not guilty in court on Monday in Samoa.

Auto’a Tiatia Maisa also pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault, failure to provide necessities of life to her one year old child and being armed with a dangerous weapon.

The incident happened in June this year at their home in Samalaeulu, Savai’i when she allegedly struck her one-year-old baby on the head with a broom handle. The baby died immediately.

Last month the court stripped the young mother of the guardianship of her new born baby and her other two children aged 2 and 3 years old.

Justice Leiataualesā Daryl Clarke ordered her not to make any contact with her children or try to get near her children as he said the charges made it impossible for the defendant to make contact with her children.

The court gave Auto’a’s mother temporary custody of the three children.

Auto’a is remanded on bail with conditions to sign in at the police station in Vaito’omuli, must live in Taga away from Gataivai where her children live and for the court to review her children’s guardianship in due course.