In a case that has shocked the nation, a military police officer named Michael Bruno Lopes Santos has denied any participation in the violent assault of a 19-year-old pregnant domestic worker in the state of Maranhão. The officer, who turned himself in to authorities on Thursday, made his denial during testimony to the Military Police's Internal Affairs division. He is suspected of being involved in the attack, which was allegedly orchestrated by the victim's employer, businesswoman Carolina Sthela Ferreira dos Anjos.
The businesswoman herself was arrested on the same day in the neighboring state of Piauí. Authorities from the Maranhão Public Security Secretariat stated she was attempting to flee. Her defense lawyer, however, countered that Carolina was in Piauí with her 6-year-old son because she had no family in Maranhão to care for the child, and was not trying to evade police.
The victim's harrowing testimony details a prolonged and brutal attack. She stated that on April 17, she was accused by her employer of stealing a ring. What followed were hours of physical abuse, including hair pulling, punches, slaps, and being knocked to the ground. The young woman, who is five months pregnant, described desperately trying to protect her belly during the onslaught. The missing ring was eventually found in a laundry basket, but the violence did not stop. She also reported being threatened with death if she told the police.
Adding a disturbing layer to the case, audio recordings obtained by TV Mirante and attached to the investigation feature the businesswoman herself describing the assault. In one message, Carolina allegedly states the victim "wasn't supposed to have come out alive." The recordings detail the involvement of an armed, unidentified man who came to the house to help "pressure" the worker. The businesswoman is heard saying, "Almost an hour of this girl in the massacre, with slaps and punches and stepping on her fingers. Everything you can imagine of craziness, it was me and him doing it."
The fallout from the case has been significant. Four military police officers who initially responded to the incident have been removed from their duties. This action came after audio recordings surfaced in which the businesswoman claimed she was not taken to the police station because she knew one of the responding officers. According to her account in the audio, the officer allegedly said that due to the victim's bruises, she should have been taken in, but was not.
The victim also provided details about her working conditions. She reported being paid R$750 for just over two weeks of work, during which she worked nearly 10 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, with only a 30-minute break. Her duties included cleaning, cooking, laundry, ironing, and caring for the employer's child. The Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) has classified the crime as aggravated torture, in addition to bodily harm, threats, and defamation.
The investigation is being conducted by the 21st Police District of Araçagy. The case continues to develop as authorities work to identify the second assailant and fully determine the roles of all involved. Based on reporting from g1.