A 59-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her nine-year-old granddaughter by feeding her a cake laced with a toxic pesticide. Izabel Cardoso de Andrade was taken into custody on Friday after her granddaughter, Alana dos Santos Cardoso Marques, died on 23 July in São Francisco, Brazil.
The child fell ill shortly after eating the cake, suffering severe abdominal pain and a white liquid leaking from her nose. She died of cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after arriving at hospital. Her 11-year-old sister, who ate less of the dessert, experienced milder symptoms.
Tests confirmed the presence of terbufos, a pesticide banned in the UK and EU, in both the victim’s body and the cake. The family’s cat also died from liver damage consistent with poisoning.
Ms De Andrade’s defence team said she is cooperating with police and emphasised her innocence, arguing that her imprisonment is disproportionate. The child’s mother, Regiane Gonçalves do Santos, described her ordeal as a “nightmare”, adding that her daughter dreamed of becoming a police officer.
Local residents have protested in support of the family. The case draws parallels to that of Erin Patterson, who was recently convicted in Australia of murdering three relatives with poisoned mushrooms.
