Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend inside their family car in the presence of their 3 children.

The defendant appeared in Court last month for an initial appearance.

He is charged with one count of felonious restraint involving domestic violence, a class D felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, along with 5 misdemeanor charges including 3 courts of endangering the welfare of a child, private peace disturbance and 3rd- degree property damage, all class A misdemeanors.

Bail is set at $10,000.

THE ALLEGATION

The government claims that on June 7, 2022, a woman was punched eight times by the suspect in their vehicle in the presence of the victim’s three minor children. The defendant also yelled profanities at the victim while trying to drag her out her vehicle.

A police officer passing by a store in Pago Pago witnessed the suspect hitting the victim and stopped to intervene and the suspect quickly fled prior to being apprehended. The officer then called for additional officers to assist him in the matter.

Several police officers immediately responded to the call and met up with the first officer along with the victim at the scene. The victim was interviewed by a senior police officer before she was transported to the Fagatogo Central Police Station along with her three young children.

Officers observed injuries on the victim’s facial area and EMS was contacted for medical assistance. Representatives from the Department of Human and Social Services (DHSS) were also notified about the matter because minor children were involved.

The victim was very reluctant at first trying to defend the suspect but later complied providing a verbal statement to investigators about what allegedly happened.

According to the victim’s statement the suspect is her partner (boyfriend) and she stays with her three young children with the suspect in Pago Pago. She told police the reason why the argument started was that the suspect dislikes the time she gives to her children.

She stated that she was leaving with her children for a visit to the DHSS regarding a different investigation with her other daughter, but the suspect refused to let her go. The victim tried to convince the suspect but he still disagreed and started punching her.

The victim tried to defend herself but the suspect was too strong. The suspect punched her eight times and she tried to block the punches and pushed the suspect’s hands away but his head accidentally hit her on the mouth causing a swollen lip (upper lip).

While investigators were interviewing the victim, other investigators were interviewing the victim’s 12-year-old daughter regarding the matter.

The 12-year-old daughter refused to provide a written statement to investigators but gave a verbal statement regarding the matter.

She said the argument between her mother and the suspect started at their house. They left the house and it escalated inside the moving vehicle.

The victim’s daughter also told investigators that her mother (victim) stopped the vehicle next to a store in Pago Pago because the suspect was hitting her with his fists, in the car, while it was moving.  The suspect punched her mother several times and intentionally hit her mother’s face with his head causing the swollen lip. The suspect then tried to pull her mother out of the vehicle.

The suspect also punched the vehicle causing damage to it as well.

The victim’s daughter further told investigators that this type of behavior has occurred several times before and they see it all the time in their home.  She said the children would be present when the suspect beat up her mother in their house and other places.

Damages were observed to the driver’s window side, which investigators took photos of via mobile phone.

The victim and her three minor children have now been placed under the care of DHSS, after representatives from DHSS did an assessment of the family at the TPS.