A 34-year-old woman has been arrested by police in relation to the death of a 14-year-old girl this morning at Vaiola Hospital. The suspect is expected to be charged later today.

Tonga’s Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee said this afternoon they are treating the incident as a homicide and an investigation is being overseen by the Deputy Police Commissioner ‘Unga Fa’aoa.

He said the incident took place within a household in Nuku‘alofa. He did not release the nature of the homicide inquiry or the relationship between the suspect and the victim.

"I can say it appears at this stage the victim's injuries were caused in that she had been struck in some way. We are still working on the detail since it hasn’t been long since the incident occurred and there are lot of inquires to make."

He said it was possible that the suspect could be charged with murder or manslaughter.

The young girl was admitted to the hospital yesterday, August 15 with serious injures and died at around 11:00am this morning, August 16.

The female suspect is expected to appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court later today.