A Brazilian businesswoman is at the center of a major criminal investigation in the state of Maranhão. Carolina Sthela Ferreira dos Anjos was arrested and is now being probed for five distinct crimes following accusations of a brutal attack on her 19-year-old pregnant domestic worker. The charges include attempted triply-qualified homicide, false imprisonment, slander, defamation, and insult, according to the Civil Police.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to the severity of the allegations. The victim, who was five months pregnant at the time, described a violent ordeal. She reported being subjected to hair-pulling, punches, and being thrown to the ground, all while she tried to shield her abdomen. The alleged assault reportedly stemmed from an accusation that the worker had stolen a ring, which was later found in a laundry basket.
Following her arrest in Teresina, Piauí, Carolina Sthela was transferred to São Luís, Maranhão. Upon arrival, she provided testimony for over an hour at the 21st Police Precinct. During her deposition, she did not confirm that audio recordings, in which a voice purportedly confesses to the assaults, belong to her. She has requested a forensic analysis of the material.
The investigation also involves a military police officer, Michael Bruno Lopes Santos, who surrendered to authorities. He is suspected of participating in the attacks at the employer's residence. In his statement, the officer denied the allegations, claiming he was at the house to deliver documents related to a client's credit score.
Authorities stated that Carolina Sthela was apprehended while attempting to flee. Police intelligence suggested she was fueling her car with possible plans to head to the Piauí coast or board a non-commercial flight to Manaus. However, her defense lawyer countered that she had traveled to Piauí to leave her six-year-old son with relatives, as she had no family in Maranhão to care for him.
The victim also recounted a demanding work life, stating she was paid R$750 for over two weeks of labor. Her duties allegedly included cleaning, cooking, laundry, and childcare, with a daily work schedule approaching ten hours. The case has been classified by the local bar association (OAB) as aggravated torture, in addition to other charges.
The Civil Police have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. While substantial evidence, including the audio files, has been presented, officials note that other elements within the inquiry still require analysis and confirmation in the coming days. Based on reporting from g1.