Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 13, 2026, a concerned family member and minor (victim) walked into the Leone Police Station (LPS) and reported that the victim was allegedly assaulted by her father.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

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

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of not more than fifteen days, a fine of not to exceed $300, or both.

Bail for the defendant was set at $500.

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

According to the court affidavit, the incident came to light when a mother and her 13-year-old daughter walked into the LPS seeking help from authorities regarding a domestic incident involving the girl’s father.

Police interviewed the minor (victim) at the station, where she described what investigators characterized as a troubling act of violence within the home. The victim told officers that her father became angry after discovering she had not put on deodorant. What began as a discipline matter allegedly escalated into physical violence when the father threw a bottle of deodorant at the girl, striking her on the head.

The impact reportedly caused a laceration to the top left side of the victim’s head, leaving her bleeding. Authorities noted that the injury was significant enough to be immediately visible, with blood reportedly staining the white shirt the young girl was wearing at the time.

Investigators asked the victim whether anyone else had witnessed the incident, and she told officers that her younger sister was present and saw what happened. Police later arranged for the younger sibling to come to the station, where she provided a written statement detailing what she witnessed during the confrontation.

The victim’s mother, who accompanied her daughter to report the matter, told investigators she did not personally witness the moment the object was thrown because she was in the shower at the time. However, she said she quickly realized something serious had occurred when she emerged and saw her daughter injured and covered in blood.

Court records indicated that the mother also shared concerns with investigators about what she described as a pattern of troubling behavior in the household, stating that a similar incident had reportedly happened previously involving another daughter.

That statement has added further weight to the allegations now before the court, raising broader concerns about violence within the family home.

Police later contacted the father and asked him to report to the station for questioning.

According to the affidavit, he voluntarily appeared and was Mirandized before speaking with investigators.

During the interview, authorities say he admitted that his daughter’s version of events was accurate and acknowledged responsibility for his actions. Investigators noted in court filings that after making the admission, the father chose not to answer additional questions. However, he reportedly expressed remorse for what had happened and told officers he was prepared to face the legal consequences stemming from the incident.

Following the interview, authorities placed him under arrest. He was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he was confined pending his initial appearance before the District Court.

The case is now moving through the court system, where formal proceedings will determine what charges and penalties may follow.

The defendant is identified as a 41-year-old U.S National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 15, 2026.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Under local law, defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by the court.]