Alleged child abuse reported in Aasu

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 20, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call of an alleged child abuse incident in the village of Aasu. The defendant was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than one year, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the minor who is also the victim in this case.) According to the court affidavit, officers from the TPS received a call at approximately 9:45 p.m., the reporter stated that a family member was allegedly abusing his son inside the family home. Police records stated that officers were initially responding to another matter in Vaitogi when they received the emergency call involving the infant; and while en route to the village of Aasu, the responding officers were temporarily redirected to assist officers from Leone with another urgent disturbance call in Amanave. After assisting with that incident, officers contacted dispatch for an update regarding the child abuse report. According to investigators, dispatch informed them that the caller had reported the suspect was now asleep inside the room with the infant. Officers immediately proceeded to the residence in Aasu. Upon arrival, investigators met with the reporting party outside the home. The woman informed officers that the defendant allegedly abused his 11-month-old son and that both the suspect and the infant were currently inside a locked room. Moments later, officers also spoke with the child’s mother, who confirmed that the suspect had locked himself inside the room with the baby while the child was crying. The child’s mother told police she had briefly left the house earlier that evening to buy medicine and water for the suspect from a nearby store located in front of their home. When she returned, she reportedly noticed the suspect appeared upset. The mother stated she plugged in the household water machine before attempting to prepare food for him. Police say the situation escalated moments later when the suspect allegedly went into the bedroom with the infant and locked the door behind him while the baby was sleeping. The mother soon heard the infant crying loudly from inside the locked room. Concerned for her child’s safety, she reportedly rushed to the door and repeatedly attempted to open it, but the suspect allegedly refused to let her inside. The mother said that while she stood outside the locked room, she allegedly heard slapping sounds coming from inside while the infant continued crying. Investigators say the mother told police she also heard the suspect yelling at the child in Samoan, telling the baby to “shut your mouth,” while continuing to use profanity directed at the infant. Unable to gain access to the room or calm the situation herself, the mother reportedly went outside and called for assistance from a family member, who became the reporting party in the case. Both women repeatedly knocked on the bedroom door and called out for the suspect to open it, but he allegedly refused to respond while the infant continued crying loudly inside. The reporter then contacted the TPS requesting immediate police assistance. Court documents stated that once officers arrived at the home, they approached the locked bedroom and repeatedly knocked on the door while calling out the suspect’s name. Police say the suspect eventually responded and opened the door after officers continued knocking. Authorities state that the suspect complied with officers’ instructions and was taken into custody without further incident. After officers secured the suspect, the child’s mother immediately entered the room and retrieved the infant, who was reportedly asleep at the time. Investigators then conducted a welfare check on the child. The officers asked the mother to lift the infant’s shirt so they could examine him for possible injuries. Police reportedly observed a visible red mark on the child’s lower back area above his buttocks. Officers photographed the injury as evidence as part of the investigation. Authorities later transported the suspect to the TPS for questioning while the child’s mother followed separately in a private vehicle. At the station, officers attempted to contact the Department of Social Services regarding the alleged abuse but were reportedly unable to reach anyone at the time. Investigators stated they intended to relay the case information to social services afterward. During a later interview with police, the child’s mother reportedly repeated her account of the incident and stated that the infant cried continuously while locked inside the room with the suspect. She specifically recalled hearing slapping noises while the suspect yelled profanities at the child from inside the locked room. Authorities later Mirandized the defendant where he acknowledged but refused to provide any statement regarding the allegations. Following the investigation, authorities booked the suspect and transported him to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained confined pending his 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 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [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.]05_13 Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-05-13 17:33:21