The police in Samoa have charged a 25 year old primary school teacher with assaulting an eight year old girl who died a week ago.
The police spokesman and assistant police commissioner, Leaupepe Fatu Pula, has told reporters the accused used a ruler to beat the child which was the cause of several bruises to the deceased's legs.
The accused Telesia Funa'i will appear in court when a pathologist's report into the cause of death is completed.
The dead student's father has told local television that his daughter died from leukemia.
