In a shocking incident at the Evangelina Rosa Maternity Hospital in Teresina, Brazil, a nursing technician who had lied about being pregnant was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap a newborn. The suspect, Auricelia de Sousa Rocha, was taken into custody on Monday, a day after hospital CCTV footage showed her walking with the baby.
Aunt Recounts Suspicious Encounter
The baby's aunt, Daniela Beatriz, told Globo that Rocha approached the mother shortly after birth, claiming the child needed a 'heel prick test.' Beatrix accompanied Rocha to another floor while the mother stayed in her room to recover. The aunt then claimed Rocha entered a room, asked her to wait outside, changed clothes, and tried to leave with the baby in a bag.
Beatriz stated: 'She told me, "I'm going in here, but you have to stay outside because they can't see you here. Sit on the bench, and I'll be right back with her." She already had that large black bag over her shoulder, and although I handed over the baby, I already had a bad feeling.'
CCTV Evidence and Confrontation
Hospital surveillance showed a woman in scrubs carrying a black bag and a baby wrapped in a red blanket. Later footage captured a woman in a black dress holding the bag, confronted by the aunt, who grabbed the bag and prevented her from leaving.
The aunt told CNN Brazil: 'When I questioned her about what was happening, if she really was an employee of the maternity ward, she told me that she was an employee and that it wasn't what I was thinking.'
Police Investigation and Suspect's Background
Police searched Rocha's home and found a room prepared with baby clothes, diapers, a crib, and a bathtub, according to Globo. Rocha had allegedly lied to her family, claiming she was pregnant, though she never provided test results.
Rocha's attorney stated that the suspect was diagnosed with schizophrenic symptoms, impairing her ability to understand the investigation's seriousness. However, police indicated that mental health issues would not negate responsibility for the alleged act.
