A Fijian woman has been handed an eight year suspended sentence under strict conditions by the Pohnpei Supreme Court for her role in covering up the sexual abuse which ended up in the pregnancy of her underage daughter, who was impregnated by her own father.
The woman was found guilty on seven of eight criminal counts, including conspiracy, solicitation, failure to report criminal activity, harassment, intimidation, psychological abuse, and unlawful confinement of a family member.
Despite the severity of the crimes, Judge Elias Anson suspended the prison sentence placing the woman on probation with several court ordered conditions.
She was acquitted of a separate charge requiring mandatory reporting of child abuse as the court determined she was not a legally defined reporter under Pohnpei law.
The court determined that she went to great lengths to conceal her daughter’s pregnancy and prevent the abuse from becoming known.
The crimes only came to light after outside intervention.
Her husband, the victim’s father had already been tried and convicted and sentenced for the incest related crimes in Pohnpei after which he was deported to Fiji.
The sentences all to be served consecutively amount to eight years of incarceration and USD$5,500 in fines.
Source : The Kaselehlie Press
