15 July 2020, Mulinuu, Apia Samoa. Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese has set a trial date in February 2021 for a mother charged with manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of her one-year old daughter.
Autoa Tiatia Maisa, pregnant at the time of the incident last year in May, entered a not guilty plea through defense counsel Masoe Charlie Vaai.
According to a source close to the family, the toddler was the youngest of three children and on the day before the tragic incident, her mother had hit her on the head with a broomstick.
“O le aso na sosoo ai, sa toe tagi ai foi si mea lea ma ua tago atu loa lona tina ma toe sasa, ma ta le ulu i le ‘au o le salu;
“O le mea ua tupu ua tilotilo atu ua le migoi le teineititi, ua na o le sioa. O lea sa ia faanatinati atu ai loa i le falemai ae peita’i e lei au si mea i le falemai, na malaia lava i luga o le ala.”
Bail conditions prohibit Autoa from seeing her other three children, and the Court hearing date of 20th February 2021 is almost two years after the incident on the 29th of May 2019.
