A 35-year-old man has been remanded by the Magistrates Court in Suva as he faces multiple charges, including the murder of his one-year-old daughter. The accused, Sairusi Ceinaturaga, appeared before Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou.
Ceinaturaga is charged with one count of murder, one count of serious assault causing actual bodily harm, and one count of causing grievous harm. Allegations suggest that he struck the child with an aluminum cooking spoon, hit her head against a wall, and then threw her onto a mattress. Furthermore, it is alleged that he slapped the three-year-old brother of the deceased and bit him on the face. He is also accused of assaulting his defacto partner.
The tragic events occurred last Thursday when medical staff at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital notified the Totogo Police after the child was declared dead upon arrival. Authorities found visible injuries on the child, raising concerns that foul play was involved.
Ceinaturaga is the defacto partner of the child’s mother and reportedly has a history of abusive behavior. Magistrate Savou has referred the case to the High Court, which is set to address the matter on November 4 for its first mention.