Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In May of this year, Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) received a call from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in regards to a 14 year-old minor who was allegedly assaulted by her father.

The defendant was apprehended and charged with:

Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year, and a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both;

Count 2: Abuse of a Child (DV) — a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child (DV) — a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to $1,000, but not less than $150, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000.

(Samoa News has withheld names of those involved to protect the identity of the minor in this case.)

According to the affidavit, on the evening of May 28, 2024, at about 7:47 p.m, a report was received by the FPS from the EMS regarding a 14 year-old minor that was allegedly assaulted by her father.

Upon receiving the report from the EMS, police officers contacted the woman who reported the assault to EMS for confirmation. The reporter confirmed the alleged assault of the minor by her father.

Responding to the call, police officers went to the residence where the assault was reported to have taken place. At the scene, they encountered a crowd of people surrounding a teenage female, who was seated and being attended to in order to maintain her consciousness, with cooling and hydration measures being provided.

Officers assessed the victim’s condition by asking her questions, whereas the victim responded with a strained voice and struggled to talk.

The officers then contacted the EMS, but however were told by the EMS dispatcher that all their units were not available.

Police officers were not able to locate the suspect at the time.

They then proceeded to transport the victim alongside her mother and three little brothers to LBJ Hospital.

At about 12:15 am, the officers returned to LBJ Hospital to inquire about the victim but upon arrival, no one was present — mother and siblings included. They then proceeded back to the village and were able to locate the victim and her mother.

Both the mother and daughter were escorted to FPS for an interview. During the interview, the victim, in the presence of her mother, explicitly described the sequence of events.

The victim indicated that the altercation began when she and her brother engaged in a physical fight over a shoe. Despite the defendant’s efforts to separate the victim and her brother, his efforts were unsuccessful.

The victim alleged that her father forcibly restrained her by grasping the collar of her shirt that resulted in her necklace becoming constricted around her neck, which left visible marks. Moreover, the victim reported that her father struck her with a closed fist on the right side of her abdomen that led to breathing difficulties.

The mother, with tears in her eyes, verbally affirmed her daughter’s statement and went on to express that this is not the first time her husband has physical assaulted her children, as well as herself. She told officers that  “her husband struggles with anger management, exhibiting rapid and uncontrolled outbursts that pose a threat to the safety and well being of herself and her children.”

The mother explained that her husband was apprehended in November 2023 for domestic violence and abusing both herself and her children.

After interviewing both parties, police officers proceeded with the victim’s mother to locate the victim’s father, who was subsequently taken to the FPS, along with his wife and children.

The defendant/ father was Mirandized at the FPS, and refused to waive his rights.

The defendant was then booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next sitting of the District Court.

Child Protective Service representatives were also present for assessment of the situation at the FPS.

The defendant is identified as a 38 year-old U.S National.