Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man is behind bars after his wife claims that he beat her while she was carrying their 9-month-old baby.

The incident was reported to police on Dec. 5th, around 4:30p.m. by the wife who claimed that the alleged beating took place in the presence of her mother-in-law who didn't do anything to stop her son.

The victim told police she is tired of getting beat up everyday so she requested an escort to take her and her kids away from her husband’s home and his family. She said she wants to move away but she doesn't have any family in American Samoa. The victim is from Samoa and they’ve been here only a year.

The defendant was apprehended at his residence in Mapusaga by several police officers. When asked about the alleged incident, the man told police that he beat his wife because she is disrespectful to him and his mother.

The defendant made his initial appearance in District Court last week. He was represented by Assistant Public Defender Ryan Anderson, while prosecuting the case was Assistant Attorney General Laura Garvey.

The defendant is charge with 3rd degree assault and private peace disturbance (PPD).

After court proceedings yesterday, District Court Judge Fiti Sunia released the man on his own recognizance. He is ordered not to have any contact with his wife and children, and he is to remain law abiding and make all of his court appearances.

The case has been transferred to the Family, Drug & Alcohol Court (FDA), where the defendant is scheduled to appear on Jan. 28, 2019.