Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On March 8, 2025, authorities received a call regarding a domestic dispute between a mother and daughter.

The suspect was later charged with:

Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $1,000, or both; and,

Count 3: Assault in the Third Degree ( As a C. Misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of $300, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $500.

According to the court affidavit, on March 8, 2025 at about 8:34 p.m., an individual contacted the police station to report that her mother had been allegedly assaulted by her sister, Aomalu Niue.

Police officers responded to the call and upon arrival they met up with the victim who provided an account of the incident.

The victim had expressed concerns to her daughter (later identified as the suspect) regarding the presence of multiple men at their residence and she emphasized her concern about the well-being of her granddaughters living in their home. However, the suspect reportedly reacted with hostility and dismissed her concerns. The suspect also told her that it was none of her business.

Later in the evening, following a family prayer, the suspect entered the family’s residence and overheard her niece talking on the phone with her aunt who resides off island. The suspect then confronted her niece and inquired whether she was speaking to her sister.

The suspect then made inappropriate remarks instructing her sister to inform their mother and the rest of their family about an alleged affair between herself and her husband. The victim intervened and asked the suspect to stop but the suspect proceeded to exit through the back door while continuing to argue with her mother.

Once outside, the suspect began yelling profanities in Samoan and forcefully pushed the door against the victim. She then grabbed the victim by the shirt and spat in her face.

Moreover, the suspect punched the victim in the mouth and placed her hands around her neck in a choking manner. In an attempt to defend herself, the victim reached for a nearby stick and hit the suspect on the forehead. The suspect left the house and did not return.

A minor, who was present during the incident collaborated the victim’s account and stated that she had been on the couch talking to her aunt on Face-Time, when the suspect entered the living room and made inappropriate comments. The minor explained that the victim attempted to de-escalate the situation but the suspect reacted aggressively and yelled at her mother to “shut up” before proceeding to the back door. The minor collaborated what the victim said then happened, including that she attempted to intervene but was unable to physically restrain the suspect.

When the suspect left the residence after the victim used a stick to defend herself, she stated that she would “let the whole world know” about the incident.

At about 10:27 p.m., a nurse from the LBJ Hospital contacted the authorities and reported a patient who was allegedly involved in an assault case. Police proceeded to the hospital to follow up and upon arrival interviewed the patient, who was the suspect in the reported incident/

The suspect stated that her mother frequently accused her of things that she “has not done”. She also acknowledged an altercation with her mother, during which she pushed the door and caused it to hit her. The suspect also claimed that her mother hit her on the head with a stick before she left the residence and sought medical attention at the hospital.

A video recording of the incident was also submitted and reviewed by the officers. The video confirmed what the victim had described of the incident with the suspect.

The affidavit does not state when or whether the suspect was arrested.