Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 28, 2023, a man was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend while she was holding her baby.

He was charged with the following criminal counts:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen (15) days, a fine of $300 but not less than $150, or both;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Endangering a Welfare of a Child (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one (1) year, a fine of $1,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

(To protect the identity of the minors involved, Samoa News has withheld the names of the parties involved.)

According to the affidavit, on November 28, 2023, the Fagatogo Central Police Station (FCPS) received a call from a woman requesting police assistance regarding her boyfriend who had assaulted her at their residence in Aua.

Upon arrival, the officers approached an unknown female who was later identified as the victim and the reporter of the alleged assault. Police noticed visible scratch marks on the neck of the victim.

The police were able to also locate the male, who was identified as the defendant. Both parties were transported to the FCPS for further investigation.

The affidavit stated that upon arrival, police officers interviewed the victim and observed the scratch markings around her neck and asked her if she wanted to go to the hospital but she refused.

According to the victim, her boyfriend intentionally caused physical harm towards her by grabbing her t-shirt and choking her, in which she almost stepped on her 9-month-old daughter.

Moreover, the defendant demanded that she sit on the bed while carrying her 9-month-old daughter. She said she begged the defendant to stop but he kept on pulling her hair and dragged her on the floor while she was still holding her baby. The defendant yelled profanities at her while she tried to escape but he wouldn’t let her.

Fortunately, her 14-year-old daughter arrived home and stood between them and tried to stop the defendant from hurting her. When she finally got out of the house and saw the neighbors, she ran to them and called the police for assistance.

The defendant is identified as a U.S National.