The Brazilian Bar Association's Maranhão chapter (OAB-MA) has formally requested the preventive arrest of Carolina Sthela Ferreira dos Anjos, an employer under investigation for the alleged torture and physical violence against a pregnant domestic worker. The incident, which occurred on April 17th in Paço do Lumiar, part of the Greater São Luís area, has been classified by the OAB's Human Rights Commission as aggravated torture.
According to the OAB-MA's report, the 19-year-old victim, who was six months pregnant at the time, was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse. The attack allegedly began after Carolina accused the worker of stealing a ring. Despite the victim's denial, she was reportedly beaten with punches and slaps for approximately an hour. The violence escalated when a firearm was allegedly used to threaten her, with the weapon reportedly placed in her mouth.
The investigation is supported by medical reports detailing the victim's injuries and audio recordings in which Carolina allegedly confesses to the assaults. In one of these recordings, she reportedly states the victim "wasn't supposed to have come out alive." The audio also suggests a male accomplice, who remains unidentified, participated in the attack while armed.
The OAB-MA emphasizes that the crime is particularly severe because the victim was pregnant, constituting aggravated torture under Brazilian law. The charges also include bodily injury, threats, and defamation. The victim has reported that she spent much of the attack on the floor, trying to protect her abdomen from kicks, resulting in bruises across her body.
Adding a layer of complexity to the case, four military police officers who initially responded to the incident have been removed from their duties. This action followed the release of audio recordings in which Carolina allegedly claimed she was not taken to the police station because she knew one of the responding officers. The officer in question reportedly acknowledged the visible bruises on the victim should have led to her being formally processed.
The OAB-MA has highlighted Carolina Sthela's extensive criminal history as a key reason for requesting her preventive arrest, citing a high risk of recidivism. Her record includes a prior conviction for qualified theft with a sentence of over six years, a conviction for slander after falsely accusing a former nanny of theft, and multiple domestic violence cases and protective orders. She also faces numerous civil actions and debts.
Carolina Sthela has not been arrested or formally indicted as of the latest reports. Through a statement, she has declared her cooperation with the investigation, stated she will present her version of events at the appropriate time, and expressed her opposition to any form of violence, particularly against women and vulnerable individuals. She has called for no premature judgment while the case is being examined.
Based on reporting from g1.