Samoan nurses sent to jail over babies death

Two senior nurses, who pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of two babies from Savaii last year have been sentenced to five years imprisonment.

While handing down his decision today, Acting Chief Justice Vui Clarence Nelson stressed that there is no question in his mind that an imprisonment sentence is required.

He also stressed that the defendants are accountable for the harm that they have caused not only to the victims, whose lives were cut short but also the harm to the two families involved.

Senior nurse Luse Emo Tauvale pleaded guilty to the two charges of manslaughter and one charge of attempting to obstruct and defeat the cause of justice for the death of both Lanacalysteh Samuelu and Lameko Si’u.

She has been sentenced to 5 years and 6 months imprisonment.

Leutogi Te’o pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter, she has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.

Parents of both babies told Tala Fou that they accept the Supreme Court's decision and they have already forgiven the two nurses. 

Samuelu and Sui died within minutes after receiving the MMR vaccine at Safotu hospital in Savaii last year a dosage that was wrongly mixed.

 

Photo RNZI file Caption: Leutogi Te'o (C) and Luse Emo Tauvale (R) with their lawyer after entering guilty pleas