After psychologist suggests hospitalization granddaughter chooses jail

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 23, 2025, a grandfather contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding his granddaughter who was allegedly causing a disturbance at their home.

The suspect was later apprehended and charged with: Count 1: 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 imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.

According to the court affidavit, on May 23rd, at around 5:05 p.m., a victim called the TPS to report his granddaughter, Taiulagi Faia Asuega who was causing a disturbance at their home.

According to the victim’s written statement, he received a call from his niece that his truck was speeding on the road and almost hit her car. He said he instructed his niece to contact the police to find his granddaughter who was the driver of the car. An hour later, the suspect passed their house where he tried to wave her down to come home but she kept going.

About 45 minutes later, he explained, he received a call that the suspect was home. When he got home, Taiulagi was upstairs in her room. When he called her to come down to talk she raised her voice at him and his wife. The victim further stated that the suspect yelled profanities and tried to attack his wife but he was able to block by being in front of his wife. Taiulagi then pushed him where he fell down while she argued with her grandma. She continued her verbal abuse — cussing at them and told them she wanted to leave. The victim told the suspect to leave.

He also informed authorities that this is not the first time the suspect has done this and she is a threat in their family and out in public. The suspect continued that Taiulagi is always trying to start fights with them. He emphasized that they wanted the suspect to get help.

The authorities asked the victim about any injuries, where he replied that he only had pain in the back area.

When the officers were on their way to the scene, they observed the suspect sitting at the pink store near a residence. The suspect was transported to the police station where she informed the officers that she didn’t want to go back home. She stated that she would rather be on the streets than to go back.

Upon arrival at the police station, a psychologist was contacted to assist with conducting a brief assessment to determine the outcome of the suspect’s case.

Shortly after, the psychologist arrived at the station and spoke with the officers and Taiulagi. The psychologist stated that the suspect had previous episodes with the victim, who had been advised several times to take Taiulagi in for an assessment.

The psychologist requested that the suspect be taken into the hospital for further assessment but Taiulagi refused.

Taiulagi was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await the next available sitting of the District Court.

Ms. Asuega is identified as a 33-year-old resident of Vaitogi.