Mother on trial for allegedly pinching, smacking toddler during flight from Alaska to Hawaii
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Hawaii mother's federal trial is starting on charges that she smacked, pinched and pulled out the hair of her 15-month-old daughter during a flight from Alaska to Honolulu.
Jury selection starts Wednesday in the trial against Samantha Leialoha Watanabe, who has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
A criminal complaint says she cursed and assaulted the girl during the May 3 flight from Anchorage. The complaint says whenever the girl tried to touch her mother's face, Watanabe slapped the child's hands and arms.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Federal public defender Alexander Silvert says his client is homeless and living in a shelter.
Witnesses that prosecutors expect to call include Alaska Airlines flight attendants and an Alaska State Trooper traveling with his family.