A man suspected of raping his own stepdaughter in the São Paulo municipality of Santa Fé do Sul has been apprehended. The arrest took place on Friday, May 8th, in the city of Aparecida do Taboado, located in Mato Grosso do Sul.
According to the police investigation, the alleged sexual abuse had been occurring since the victim was only 11 years old. The teenager is now 16. The horrific crime was only brought to the attention of authorities this past Monday, May 4th, when family members filed a formal complaint.
On the same day the complaint was received, police officers went to the suspect's residence. He attempted to flee through a wooded area but was located and taken to the police station for questioning. However, the officer on duty at the time determined that an immediate arrest was not warranted, citing a lack of flagrante delicto, or being caught in the act.
The situation escalated the following day. When the lead investigator, the titular delegate, returned to work, she reviewed the case and deemed it extremely serious. She subsequently issued a preventive arrest warrant for the stepfather. When police returned to the address to execute the warrant, the suspect was nowhere to be found and was officially declared a fugitive.
The manhunt concluded on Friday afternoon. Authorities successfully located and arrested the suspect in Aparecida do Taboado. Following his capture, he was transported back to Santa Fé do Sul and formally placed in custody at the local Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher, the specialized police station for crimes against women.
The case highlights the delayed reporting of a long-term crime and the procedural steps taken by law enforcement to secure an arrest after an initial assessment prevented immediate detention. The suspect now faces serious charges related to the sexual assault of a minor family member.
Based on reporting from g1.