Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 9, 2026, a domestic disturbance in Leone resulted in the arrest of a woman after police responded to reports of property damage and threatening behavior that allegedly placed several children in fear.

The defendant was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both; and,

Count 3: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both.

The defendant was held pending $300 bail.

(Samoa News is withholding names and identifying details to protect the children’s privacy.)

According to the court affidavit, the incident occurred on the afternoon of April 9, 2026, when the Leone Police Substation (LPS) received a call from a woman reporting that her adult niece was allegedly causing a violent disturbance at her residence. Officers were dispatched immediately to investigate.

Police arrived at the home shortly after receiving the complaint and were met by a visibly shaken young woman seated outside the residence. Officers noted that she appeared distressed and in shock as she briefly described the frightening events that had just unfolded.

The witness directed officers to damage at the home, where a sliding glass window had reportedly been cracked and shattered during the disturbance. Broken glass and visible signs of damage were observed at the scene, and officers documented the destruction as evidence.

Police then proceeded next door, where they located the woman identified in the complaint. According to court filings, officers were allowed inside the residence by a family member and were directed to a bedroom, where the suspect was found hiding in a closet.

Officers took her into custody without further incident and transported her to the LPS for questioning.

As part of the investigation, several family members, including witnesses and a juvenile victim, provided statements to police.

According to one of the witnesses’s statements, the disturbance began when loud banging noises were heard outside the family home. A relative who went to investigate reportedly saw the suspect yelling aggressively near a young child. When another family member attempted to intervene and calm the situation, the suspect allegedly struck a sliding window with enough force to crack and damage it.

Investigators say the situation escalated further when the suspect allegedly made threatening remarks toward a child and armed herself with a stick. Witnesses told police she swung or threw the object in the direction of the child, narrowly missing her. The child reportedly ran back inside the home in fear.

In statements given to police, relatives described the event as part of a troubling pattern of violent outbursts within the household. Family members said younger children in the home have become fearful whenever the suspect becomes angry, describing repeated incidents of aggressive behavior that have left the household living in constant tension.

Court records also indicated that a family member told police that the suspect may be struggling with serious mental health challenges and needs professional treatment. The relative reportedly expressed concern not only for her own safety, but for the safety of the children living in the home, stating that she feared someone could eventually be hurt if intervention does not occur.

A juvenile witness also confirmed to investigators that she saw the suspect grab a stick and throw it at her, but missing. Her statement supported accounts provided by adult witnesses at the scene.

After being transported to the LPS, the suspect was Mirandized in the presence of a female officer. The affidavit stated that the suspect declined to make a statement to investigators.

She was later booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where she remained confined pending her initial appearance before the District Court.

The matter is now before the court for further proceedings.

The defendant is identified as a 25-year-old U.S National.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on April 10, 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.]