A 51 year man, Fa'afetai Otemai Sione, has pleaded guilty in Samoa's Supreme Court to murdering his step daughter six years ago.
Her disappearance emerged when family members were questioned over a separate incident last year.
Sione's wife is also facing a murder charge.
Our correspondent, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, was in court:
"According to the prosecution's summary of facts on the charge of murder, the father assaulted Rosemei Fa'asalafa Sione, his step daughter, between the 1st of January 2004 and 31st of December 2004. However the mother was unable to appear. Police prosecution lawyers told the court that the mother is still in a serious condition at the national hospital. A recent report is that the mother was allegedlly assaulted by several police officers when she was kept in custody."
Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, who says a police investigation is underway into the allegations the woman was beaten by police.
Sione will appear in court again later this month.
