Acting Attorney General Mitzie Jessop says the Attorney General’s office is awaiting a police report from the Criminal Investigation Division, on their investigation into the case of a newborn baby who was allegedly abandoned in Auto, and from there they will determine the appropriate action to be taken.

The Acting AG was responding to Samoa News queries on the matter, and she was asked if charges have been filed in this case.

Earlier, DPS Commissioner’s Special Assistant Saite Fuega Moliga told Samoa News a newborn baby found in an umu shed in Auto on Tuesday morning is reported to be healthy and strong and the baby remains in the hospital for observation after she was allegedly abandoned earlier this week.

He told Samoa News that early reports by other media outlets that the mother is 16 are inaccurate, and that the mother is 20 years old. Saite said the Criminal Investigation Division is conducting the investigation into this matter and confirmed that no arrest has been made as yet.

According to police officers, they received a call from a woman claiming that she saw a newborn baby in an umu near her house. The officers further told Samoa News the call was then transferred to the CID, who responded to the call in Auto.

Samoa News understands the woman who called police for assistance was questioned by detectives and later on, during questioning, it is alleged that she admitted to the police that it was her baby. However, she allegedly told police she was scared and that’s why she left the baby.

Asked if the mother had been arrested, Fuega replied, “No arrest has been made as the CID continues its investigation into the matter.” The Special Assistant then declined to comment further, pointing out that more details will be made available once the investigation is complete.