A mother is accused of manslaughter relating to the death of her 14 year old daughter last Friday, Tonga Police confirmed today. She is one of two people charged with manslaughter, while a third accused, a 42-year-old woman, has now been charged with abetting the crime.

The Police Commissioner Grant O’Fee said the 34-year-old mother was arrested after her daughter's death on Friday, August 16 at Vaiola Hospital.

He said a 37-year-old male relative of the victim had also been charged with manslaughter after he was arrested by police on Saturday, August 17. The other woman who is unrelated to the victim was charged with abetment.

It is alleged that the young girl was assaulted at two different locations, firstly in Nuku’alofa and then at a village outside of the capital, he said.

The three accused are detained in police custody until Friday, August 23 for a bail hearing at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court.

The girl who was admitted to the hospital on August 15 died at around 11:00am the next morning from fatal injuries.