Apia, Samoa – A young woman faces charges of manslaughter and infanticide after allegedly abandoning her newborn twins in a bathroom trash bin. The woman reportedly kept her pregnancy a secret from her family. She gave birth at home to twins—a boy and a girl—but instead of seeking care for them, she is accused of placing them in the bathroom trash bin.

The tragic series of events happened when the woman fell gravely ill and was taken to the hospital by her family. At the hospital, medical staff informed her family that she had recently given birth, which prompted them to investigate further. Upon returning home, the family discovered the lifeless twins. This discovery shocked the community and sparked widespread reactions.

Court Hearing & Possible Sentence

The young woman has been granted bail under conditions that require her to report to the police twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Fridays. She is expected to appear in court on March 24.

Under the Crimes Ordinance Act in Samoa, infanticide is punishable by a maximum of three years in prison—a significantly lighter sentence compared to life imprisonment, which is the penalty for murder or manslaughter.

Original Story derived from Samoa Observer