Fifita 'Ofa, a mother whose faces manslaughter charges over the death of her 14-year-old daughter, was released on bail after the case was adjourned to 21 January 2014, to allow the Crown to review the evidence and decide on appropriate charges.

The 34-year-old accused mother, her brother Tomasi 'Ofa (37) and Moala Toumohuni (42) a partner of the victim’s biological father, appeared before Mr Justice Charles Cato on Friday, 29 November at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

The Crown represented by Silivia ‘Atiola asked for the adjournment because they were still reviewing the evidence and to decide on appropriate charges to indict the accused on.

The trio were charged by police after the victim, who suffered from serious injuries, died at Vaiola Hospital on August 16, 2013. The victim's mother was charged with manslaughter, the uncle with manslaughter and causing grevious bodily harm, while Toumohuni faces abetment to the manslaughter. 

They were released on bail until the set date on conditions that included surrendering their passports. They are prohibited from travelling outside of Tongatapu and are not to interfere with Crown witnesses.