On April 18, 2024, two-year-old (31-month-old) Fofogafeta Maluia Fields was found unresponsive at an apartment on the 3400 block of Mercury Street in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Her 21-year-old uncle, Leo'oolo Jonas Tevaseu, was babysitting the child and her siblings while their mother was at the DMV. After his account changed through at least five versions, the suspect ultimately admitted to slapping the child in the face, hitting her with a pillow, picking her up, and covering her mouth with his hand because she would not stop crying. Doctors observed damage inside the child's mouth consistent with pressure being applied to the face that restricts breathing. The child was pronounced dead at 11:38 a.m. at UMC Pediatric Division. Tevaseu was arrested and charged with open murder and child abuse.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The FOX5 article describes multiple inflicted injuries in detail. In the suspect's final account, he "slapped the child in the face, hit her with a pillow, picked her up and 'held her like a baby' and then used his hand to cover her mouth." Additionally, the suspect admitted to "hitting her with his hand 'because she would not stop crying'" and covering her mouth for approximately 30 seconds. Doctors observed "damage inside the child's mouth" consistent with "pressure being applied to the face by a hand or instrument that restricts breathing."
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The FOX5 article states the suspect "said that he lived at the residence and was babysitting his sister's children while she was at the DMV." The uncle was functioning as a babysitter at the time of the incident.
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Both articles identify the suspect as the child's uncle. The FOX5 article states the suspect "admitted to striking his niece" and the News3LV article headline reads "Uncle arrested on murder, abuse charges." The suspect is the child's maternal uncle, as he was "babysitting his sister's children while she was at the DMV."
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Both articles confirm the suspect was arrested and charged. The FOX5 article states "Leooolo Jonas Tevaseu was arrested on April 18 and is facing charges of open murder and child abuse or neglect." The News3LV article states "21-year-old Leo'oolo Tevaseu was booked on charges of open murder and child abuse resulting in substantial bodily harm."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The FOX5 article provides notable detail about how the suspect's account changed through at least five versions during the investigation. Police described the evolution from claiming the child fell while playing, to admitting he slapped her leg, to admitting he hit her with a pillow, to admitting he covered her mouth. The article notes that "police called the 'fifth/final version' of his story" the most complete account. Additionally, the suspect "demonstrated the way he did this using a doll," which is a notable investigative detail. The medical findings are also significant: doctors observed "damage inside the child's mouth" and stated "these injuries are commonly seen consistent with pressure being applied to the face by a hand or instrument that restricts breathing," suggesting the mechanism of death was suffocation/smothering.
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