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Man charged with child abuse after allegedly beating his son with PVC pipes

American Samoa District Court building
ausage@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of assaulting his son using two PVC pipes is now in custody after being arrested by police last week.

The defendant made his initial appearance in District Court.

He is charged with one count of abusing of a child and one count of 2nd degree assault, both class D felonies, punishable by a term of imprisonment — up to five years, and a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Bail is set at $10,000.

THE CASE

On Nov. 28, 2021, the Leone Police Substation (LPS) received a call from a woman regarding a couple arguing outside of their home causing a disturbance by shouting out profanities in their residence.

Several police officers responded to the call and met up with the caller, and directed officers to the location where the man was, but the male individual was nowhere to be found when officers arrived.

The male individual was later identified as the husband and the defendant in this matter.

The caller told police during an interview that they were sleeping and all of a sudden she heard the defendant and his wife arguing and yelling profanities. She also stated an incident that had occurred in the afternoon pertaining to the defendant allegedly beating his 16-year-old son with two PVC pipes.

The caller and the 16-year-old minor were brought into the LPS for further investigation into the matter and the minor was treated by EMS personnel upon arrival due to his injuries.

Investigators took pictures of the victim’s injuries observed on his chest, back, shoulders, arms and forehead.

When questioned by investigators, the minor said he was using his tablet and his little brother was annoying him. He then slapped him and that’s when his father called to him, but he ignored and disrespected his father.

And that’s when his father beat him up with two PVC pipes.