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STATEUtah · Apr 29, 2026

Care Facility Manager Arrested for Assaulting Resident

An assistant manager at a Pleasant Grove facility for disabled adults faces charges after allegedly choking an 18-year-old resident.

The Bottom Line

Senita Lavulavu was booked into Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult and unlawful detention following a physical altercation over a cellphone.

The Case For

  • The suspect turned herself in to the police department and admitted she 'lost control' during the argument.
  • A witness reported seeing the suspect pull the victim to the ground by her hair and choke her by the throat.
  • The suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim as she was leaving the residence.

The Case Against

  • The suspect told police the argument began when the victim threw a cellphone and a TV remote at her.
  • The suspect claimed the victim began kicking at her, which 'possibly what set her off.'

Key Numbers

  • 48-year-old suspect arrested
  • 18-year-old victim involved

Source Verification

Pleasant Grove Police Department | City | KSL News Article (Police Booking Affidavit)

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Source receipt

✓ Quote-grounded
KSL News
https://www.ksl.com/article/51483288/pleasant-grove-care-facility-manager-arrested-accused-of-assaulting-resident
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Quoted passages this brief is built from (3)
  • "Senita Lotomoana Lavulavu, 48, of Springville, was booked into the Utah County Jail on Monday for investigation of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult and unlawful detention."
    — PLEASANT GROVE — The assistant manager
  • "The witness said the victim was held down by her arms initially, but then was held down by her throat and described the victim as being choked by Lavulavu"
    — The witness said the victim was
  • "She described the argument as starting with the victim throwing her cellphone and a TV remote at (her)"
    — Lavulavu later showed up at the