In a disturbing case emerging from Paço do Lumiar, Maranhão, a 19-year-old domestic worker, who is six months pregnant, has come forward with allegations of severe physical assault and death threats made by her former employer, Carolina Sthela Ferreira dos Anjos. The victim's testimony, provided to the 21st Civil Police Precinct, details a harrowing ordeal of violence and intimidation.
According to the young woman's account, her employment began in early April after contact was made via a messaging application. She reported for work without a prior agreement on her salary. Her duties included cleaning, cooking, laundry, and caring for her employer's six-year-old child, with a grueling schedule from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with only a 30-minute break.
The victim alleges she received a total of R$ 750 for just over two weeks of work, with payments made in installments and through transfers in the names of third parties. The situation escalated dramatically on April 17th when Carolina Sthela accused her of stealing a ring. Despite the victim's denials, she was subjected to a violent attack.
The assault, as described in the victim's deposition, involved being pulled by the hair, thrown to the floor, and repeatedly struck with slaps, punches, and blows. The young woman stated she spent much of the time on the ground, desperately trying to shield her pregnant abdomen from harm. "They didn't care," she reportedly said, describing the relentless nature of the attack.
The violence allegedly continued even after the missing ring was found in a basket of dirty laundry at the residence. Furthermore, the victim claims she was threatened with death by Carolina Sthela if she reported the incident to the authorities. The case has drawn the attention of the Maranhão chapter of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), which has classified the crime as aggravated torture due to the victim's condition as a pregnant woman.
Adding another layer to the investigation, audio messages reportedly sent by Carolina Sthela herself to a group chat have been obtained by TV Mirante and attached to the inquiry. In these recordings, the suspect allegedly describes the assault in graphic detail, stating the victim "wasn't supposed to have come out alive." She also mentions the involvement of an unidentified, armed man who assisted in the attack.
The investigation has also led to the removal of four Military Police officers from their duties. This action followed the emergence of the audio recordings, in which Carolina Sthela allegedly claims she was not taken to the police station because one of the responding officers was an acquaintance. The suspect, who has a prior criminal record including a conviction for qualified theft, has not been arrested or formally indicted as of the latest reports.
Based on reporting from g1.