Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 30, 2025, a father and daughter walked into the Tafuna Police Substation to report an assault by a member of their family.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1 & 3: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both; and,

Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both.

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

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

According to the court affidavit, on June 30th, at about 12:30 p.m., a man and his daughter (victim 1 and 2) walked into the TPS to file a report against victim #1’s wife who is also victim #2’s mother. An officer was assigned to investigate the case.

The officers interviewed the man and his daughter at the TPS.

According to the man (later identified as victim #1), he was in New Zealand when he received a call from his children. He was told by his daughter (later identified as victim #2) that she was assaulted by her mother.

Victim #1 stated that he just arrived on island a week prior to their visit to the police station. He claimed that his daughter endured abdominal pain from the assault.

He explained that he had taken her to the hospital for a check-up, and according to the medical record provided by victim #2, she was 27 weeks pregnant and is in her last trimester.

Victim #1 also noted that victim #2 has special needs.

The officer interviewed victim #2 where she verbally stated that on May 10, 2025, her mother got angry at her when her mother confronted her about having an affair.

During the confrontation, her mother hit her head with a multi-plug once, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her around the house. The suspect also kicked her stomach several times knowing that she was pregnant.

She said that her sister had witnessed what happened and tried to stop their mother from kicking her while she was holding her one year old daughter in her arms.

Victim #2 also stated that ever since she was assaulted, she has felt constant pain in her stomach. She told the officer that she waited for the return of her father to take her to the hospital for a checkup. Upon his arrival they went to the hospital and decided to come into the police station to file a report.

On July 4th, at around 10:00 a.m., the officer spoke to the witness. The witness confirmed what her sister (victim #2) had told police about the assault, adding that she knew her sister was pregnant so she intervened and stopped her mother from beating up victim #2.

The affidavit further noted that after the first reported incident, another incident happened on July 7, 2025 at about 8:50 p.m, whereby TPS received a call from victim #1 who stated that his wife (suspect) assaulted him in his home. Police officers proceeded to serve the call.

Victim #1 briefed the officers explaining that around 7:00 p.m after they had their family dinner, he went with his kids to the living room area where they were telling jokes and having their bonding time since he had been gone for a year for work. While he was spending time with his kids, he was shocked when the suspect walked in and started yelling at him to leave the house.

He asked his wife several times why she was acting up and she told him that she didn't want him anymore and that he needed to leave at once. The suspect then walked in front of him and punched him on the mouth using a closed fist. He admitted that he was furious and yelled at the suspect and told her to stop and leave him alone with his kids.

Victim #1 also informed the officers regarding another incident that happened a few days before, but he didn’t report it because he loves his wife. He explained that his wife was mad at him because she believes that he was talking bad and telling lies about her. She approached him and punched him in the face using a closed fist.

He also stated that he believes that the suspect is being unfaithful to him because of the way she acts towards him.

No visible injuries were observed on the victim, only a faded bruise on his left cheek. He refused medical treatment.

The officers apprehended the suspect and transported her to the TPS for further investigation. Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was Mirandized to which she understood and agreed to make a statement.

According to the suspect’s verbal statement, victim #1 was overseas in New Zealand and worked to provide for their family. She claimed that when the victim left, the owner of the land and the house they reside in told her that he would not allow the victim to come back and live with them anymore.

The suspect stated that the land and homeowner gave no reasons but she agreed with the old man. When the victim came back, she told him that he is not allowed but he refused to leave. The suspect also admitted that she assaulted victim #1 twice but it was because he refused to leave.

The defendant is identified as a 45-year-old citizen of Samoa.