Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 7, 2026, a family dispute involving allegations about a young woman's behavior at school escalated into a physical altercation at a residence in Nu'uuli, resulting in a police investigation involving her father, stepmother, and two stepsisters.

The four individuals identified in the police report are Alope Peresetene, Sereana Peresetene, Fa'asiusiuga Klaine, and a minor. 

All the defendants were later charged with:
Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and,
Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than a year, or both.

The defendants were held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the confrontation began following a family discussion concerning the victim's relationship with her boyfriend and allegations about her behavior at school. The disagreement reportedly intensified after the victim was confronted about a social media post.

What began as a verbal argument eventually developed into a physical confrontation involving several family members, during which the victim was allegedly slapped, grabbed, kicked, and struck.

The incident was reported to police on September 14, 2026, approximately one week after it occurred. 

Investigators subsequently obtained statements from the individuals involved, reviewed video recordings of the confrontation, and documented visible injuries sustained by the victim.

According to the police report, the victim was living at the Nu'uuli residence with her father, stepmother, two stepsisters, her brother, and her brother's wife at the time of the incident. The victim explained that problems within the household began following a family discussion about allegations concerning her conduct at school with her boyfriend.

On September 7, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Sereana allegedly confronted the victim regarding a social media post.

The victim claimed that during the confrontation, Sereana smashed her cellular phone and pulled her hair. As the argument intensified, the victim reportedly attempted to leave the residence, but her father, Alope, prevented her from doing so by holding her hand.

According to her statement, she repeatedly begged her father to release her, but he continued holding her.

After Alope eventually released her, the victim stated that Klaine approached and attempted to restrain her. Klaine allegedly slapped the victim in the face, prompting the victim to strike her back.

The confrontation then escalated into a physical fight involving additional family members. 

The victim alleged that Sereana, Alope, and the minor became involved in the altercation. She further claimed that her father grabbed her and slapped her twice, while Sereana kicked her and her stepsisters continued striking her. The victim acknowledged using profanity during the confrontation.

According to the police report, the victim eventually managed to escape from the residence and did not return home for approximately four days.

The victim also stated that her brother and his wife were asked to leave the residence on the night of the incident.

School And Social Services Become Involved

The victim told investigators that she attended school on Sept. 10, 2026, where the school principal spoke with her about the situation. During that interaction, the victim disclosed what had happened at home. Social Services then became involved in addressing the circumstances surrounding the family dispute.

According to the police report, the victim contacted her aunt while crying and explained the altercation that had occurred at the residence. The aunt, who is the sister of the victim's deceased mother, subsequently picked her up and provided her with a place to stay.

The aunt told police that she had spoken with Social Services and agreed that the victim would remain in her care and have no further contact with her father at that time. The arrangement was reportedly made following the disclosure of the incident and the involvement of Social Services.

On Sept. 14, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the victim and her aunt appeared at the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to formally report the incident.

Officers interviewed the victim, documented her complaint, and obtained a written statement describing the events of Sept. 7th.

The aunt also provided investigators with video recordings and photographs related to the altercation. 

During the investigation, officers reviewed video clips provided in connection with the incident. According to the police report, the footage showed the victim engaged in a physical confrontation with Sereana, Klaine, and the minor.

The individuals were reportedly seen hitting, grabbing, and holding the victim during the altercation. The footage also showed the victim fighting back against the other individuals involved.

Investigators documented the victim's visible injuries and took photographs as part of the investigation. According to the report, officers observed a red scratch on the victim's cheek, along with redness and several small red marks on her cheek and forehead. Additional red scratches were observed on her neck and upper shoulder. Police also documented a small bruise and scrape on the victim's elbow.

The injuries were photographed and included in the evidence gathered during the investigation.

The report does not specify whether the victim required emergency medical treatment or whether she was examined by medical personnel.
Stepmother Admits Slapping Victim

As part of the investigation, police interviewed Sereana at the TPS on Sept. 14, 2026, at approximately 1:13 p.m.

According to the report, Sereana was advised of her constitutional rights in Samoan. She indicated that she understood those rights and voluntarily signed a waiver before providing her statement.

During the interview, Sereana acknowledged that the family had previously discussed concerns about the victim's behavior at school.

She explained that she later confronted the victim regarding a social media post, which led to an argument. Sereana claimed that the victim became upset, began yelling, and used profanity toward her. She admitted slapping the victim during the confrontation.

However, Sereana stated that the victim attempted to fight her, prompting her to pull the victim down and take away her cellular phone. Sereana further admitted throwing the phone onto the floor. According to her account, Alope intervened in an attempt to calm the situation.

Sereana also alleged that the victim slapped the minor’s mouth during the altercation. She claimed that she subsequently attempted to pull the victim away from the minor as the confrontation continued.

Her statement confirmed that physical contact occurred between her and the victim, although her explanation of the circumstances differed from the victim's account.

Stepsister Acknowledges Striking Victim

Police also interviewed Klaine on Sept. 14, 2026, at approximately 12:54 p.m. According to the report, Klaine was advised of her constitutional rights in Samoan and voluntarily signed a waiver before providing her statement.

Klaine confirmed that the family had discussed concerns about the victim's conduct at school. She stated that the victim later became upset and began yelling at family members.

During the confrontation, Klaine reportedly addressed the victim by saying, "Keige lea," before lightly slapping her on the cheek. Klaine acknowledged that the victim struck her in response and swore at her.

According to Klaine, the victim's reaction led her to strike the victim again. Klaine further claimed that the victim kicked her mother in the stomach during the altercation. She stated that she believed this action contributed to her mother's decision to strike the victim.

The statement provided by Klaine confirmed her involvement in the physical confrontation but presented the incident as an argument that escalated after the victim responded to being slapped.

Minor Describes Joining Altercation

The minor was also interviewed at the TPS on Sept. 14, 2026, at approximately 1:35 p.m. A written statement was obtained from her regarding the incident. According to the minor, she had previously expressed concerns to her mother about the victim's behavior at school with her boyfriend.

She specifically mentioned displays of affection, including kissing, hugging, and holding hands. The minor stated that these concerns had been brought to her mother's attention before the family confrontation occurred.

According to her statement, the argument began when the victim used profanity toward Sereana, prompting Sereana to strike her.

The minor also claimed that she went outside in an attempt to stop the situation, but Alope intervened. She explained that the family later returned inside the residence, where the argument continued.

During the renewed confrontation, Klaine allegedly approached the victim and slapped her. Moreover, the minor stated that the victim responded by punching Klaine, after which the two began fighting.

She acknowledged that she subsequently became involved in the altercation and began hitting the victim.

According to her statement, the individuals involved were eventually separated, bringing the physical confrontation to an end.

Father Provides Different Account Of Family Dispute

Investigators also obtained a written statement from Alope concerning his involvement in the incident.
According to the police report, Alope explained that he had recently finished working at church and had gone to sleep. He later awoke after hearing someone using profanity inside the residence. Upon investigating the disturbance, he discovered that his daughter was the person swearing.

Alope stated that he subsequently lectured his wife, daughter, and the other children about the situation.

According to his account, Sereana contacted her family members and asked them to collect their clothing and belongings because they planned to leave the residence. Alope claimed that the victim begged them not to leave and apologized to Sereana.

He further stated that the family eventually decided to remain at the residence and that the disagreement had been resolved.

His statement differed from the victim's account, particularly regarding her allegations that he physically restrained and slapped her during the confrontation.

The report does not indicate that Alope admitted striking the victim.

Police Document Injuries And Collect Evidence

The police investigation included written statements from the victim and the four individuals identified as suspects, along with video recordings and photographs relating to the incident.

The victim alleged that she was physically assaulted by several family members after a disagreement over her behavior at school and a social media post.

Statements obtained from Sereana, Klaine, and the minor acknowledged their involvement in the confrontation, including striking the victim, although they offered differing explanations about how the altercation began and escalated.

Investigators also reviewed video footage that reportedly showed several individuals physically engaging with the victim while she attempted to fight back.

The visible injuries documented by police included scratches, redness, bruising, and a scrape. The investigation further established that Social Services had become involved following the victim's disclosure at school and that arrangements had been made for her to stay with her aunt.

The victim is identified as a 15-year-old US national.

The suspects are identified as follows:

Sereana Peresetene is a 44-year old Samoa citizen; Klaine is a 23-year old US national; and, Alope Peresetene is a 47-year-old Samoa citizen. There is also a minor identified as a suspect.
The affidavit was filed in the District Court on Sept. 24, 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.]