A teenage girl in Brazil has been detained by police after confessing to a chilling act of attempted poisoning against her own family, triggered by a dispute over a romantic relationship.
Rodent poison placed in pre-prepared meals
The incident occurred on January 7 in the city of Nova Serrana, located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. According to the country's Military Police, the 17-year-old girl admitted to adding a toxic substance, known locally as chumbinho and typically used to kill rodents, into three separate meals.
The food had been prepared by her 35-year-old mother and was intended for the girl's mother, her 41-year-old father, and her 36-year-old cousin. Major Renato Geraldo da Silva, a police spokesperson, stated the motive was clear: “The family was disapproving of her romantic relationship.”
Unusual texture alerts cousin to danger
The plot began to unravel when the cousin started eating his meal. He immediately noticed an unusual, gritty texture and stopped consuming the food. He alerted his uncle, the girl's father, who then spoke to his wife. Upon inspection, they agreed something was wrong with the meals.
Small black granules, believed to be the poison, were discovered mixed into the food. The parents had not yet eaten their portions. The cousin, however, was taken for medical attention where he underwent a gastric lavage procedure. He was kept under observation but was reported to be in a stable condition.
Act of anger following heated argument
Police revealed that the teenager acted out of anger following a major argument with her parents in the early hours of the day. The dispute erupted after she left the family home without their consent. The girl told officers the container of poison was already inside the house.
Forensic teams attended the family property and seized all three meals, including one that was still intact. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis to confirm the exact composition of the poisonous substance. The Civil Police confirmed the girl's detention and stated the case remains under active investigation.
The unnamed teenager was taken to a police station accompanied by her legal representative and remains at the disposal of the justice system.
A grim precedent in poisoning cases
This disturbing case echoes another high-profile poisoning conviction that dominated international headlines. In 2023, Australian woman Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering three relatives by serving them a beef Wellington laced with lethal death cap mushrooms.
Patterson received three consecutive life sentences plus an additional 25 years, one of the lengthiest terms ever given to a female offender in Australia. She will not be eligible for parole until 2056.
