Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 17, 2026, early morning, a domestic disturbance was reported to have occurred at a residence in Mesepa, where a man allegedly assaulted his partner in the presence of their infant children.

The incident later came to the attention of authorities through the involvement of the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS).

The defendant was later arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed fifteen days, a fine of not more than $150, or both imprisonment and fine; and,

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

The defendant was held without bail.

(Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the minor involved in this case.)

According to the court affidavit, the matter was officially reported on March 18, 2026, at approximately 12:33 p.m., when a representative from DHSS contacted the TPS regarding a woman who had allegedly been assaulted by her partner.

The call prompted an immediate police response, with officers dispatched to meet with the reporting party and assess the situation.

Upon arrival, officers met with the DHSS representative, who provided a briefing on the victim’s condition and the circumstances surrounding the report. Following this initial contact, officers proceeded to meet directly with the victim, who appeared cooperative and willing to provide a statement. The victim gave a detailed account of the events leading up to the alleged assault, as well as the broader context of her relationship with the suspect.

According to the victim, she had recently experienced significant medical and emotional hardship. She reported that on March 3, 2026, she had been admitted to the hospital due to complications related to her pregnancy. Approximately five days after her admission, she suffered a miscarriage. The victim expressed her belief that the stress she endured during her pregnancy, particularly due to ongoing issues in her relationship, may have contributed to her medical condition.

Moreover, the victim explained that tensions in the relationship had escalated after she discovered that the suspect had been involved in an extramarital affair with a co-worker while she was pregnant. She described the emotional distress this caused her, stating that it led to frequent arguments and a breakdown of trust between them.

Despite these issues, the suspect reportedly visited her while she was hospitalized and apologized for his actions, including both the alleged prior physical abuse and the affair. He also expressed a desire to reconcile and promised to end the extramarital relationship and focus on rebuilding their family.

The victim also stated that she considered these assurances and hoped for a change in behavior. However, after she was discharged from the hospital on March 16, 2026, she quickly realized that the situation had not improved.

According to her statement, the suspect continued communicating with the woman involved in the affair, which reignited tensions between them.

The victim reported that on the morning of March 17, 2026, she confronted the suspect about the ongoing communication. During the confrontation, she took possession of the suspect’s phone in an attempt to show him the messages she had discovered, as he continued to deny any wrongdoing. This confrontation allegedly triggered a violent response.

The victim stated that the suspect became physically aggressive and struck her multiple times across her face. She reported being slapped three times and then pushed with force, causing her to fall backward and strike the right side of her stomach against a rolling chair located inside their bedroom. She emphasized that the incident occurred in the presence of their infant children, who were nearby and witnessed the altercation.

Following the alleged assault, the situation escalated further. The victim reported that the suspect forced her and the children out of the home, instructing her to find another place to live. She stated that he also made statements indicating his intention to leave the territory and abandon the family.

The victim described feeling frightened, vulnerable, and unsure of where to go, particularly given her recent medical condition and the presence of her young children.

In the aftermath of the incident, the victim attempted to seek assistance from various sources. She reported contacting the Marshal’s Office but was unable to reach anyone.

She also attempted to contact her sponsor, but those efforts were unsuccessful. With limited options available and no immediate support, the victim ultimately reached out to Social Services for help. She explained that her inability to contact law enforcement immediately was due in part to a lack of phone credit, which prevented her from making additional calls.

On March 18, 2026, DHSS personnel responded to the victim’s request for assistance and visited her residence. Upon assessing the situation, they determined that police involvement was necessary and contacted authorities. This led to the police response and subsequent investigation.

During their interaction with the victim, officers conducted a visual assessment for injuries. While no visible injuries were observed at the time, the victim reported experiencing pain on the left side of her face as a result of being struck. Officers documented her statements and included her reported injuries as part of the case file.

The affidavit also noted that this was not the first reported incident involving the suspect. The victim disclosed that there was an ongoing case related to a previous assault that occurred while she was pregnant. This prior incident had already involved law enforcement and contributed to the continued involvement of Social Services in monitoring the family’s situation.

Further information gathered during the investigation revealed that the residence where the incident occurred was owned by a relative of the suspect. The victim stated that she had reached out to a family member of the suspect for assistance and was temporarily allowed to remain at the residence with her children. However, the situation remained unstable, and tensions persisted.

The suspect reportedly left the residence following the incident and did not return until the following day, at approximately the same time that Social Services personnel arrived. Given the circumstances and concerns for the safety of the victim and her children, officers assisted in facilitating the victim’s relocation.

Police officers, in coordination with Social Services personnel, helped the victim gather her personal belongings and safely remove them from the residence. The victim and her two infant children were then transported to a secure location under the care of the DHSS, where they are currently receiving support and assistance.

Authorities emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the victim and her children, particularly in light of the ongoing nature of the situation. The involvement of Social Services is expected to continue as the case proceeds, with additional support measures in place to assist the family.

The matter remains under active investigation as it moves through the legal process.

Officials have indicated that further actions may be taken pending the outcome of the investigation and any additional evidence that may be presented in court

The defendant is identified as a 32-year-old citizen of Samoa.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on March 19, 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.]