A pregnant teenager is reported to have died in police custody after allegedly defending her disabled brother during a police sting.
Thainara Vitória Francisco Santos, 18, became embroiled in a row with police officers when they arrived at a residential complex.
The cops came to investigate a murder that had just been carried out by two youths on a motorcycle.
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When the officers tried to lead one suspect away, they were stopped by the victim and her brother, among other residents.
Thainara was placed under arrest and died shortly afterwards in the patrol car in the early hours of 15 November.
Police said the woman – who was four months pregnant at the time – “showed signs of weakness and nausea” in the vehicle.
They said when she fell unwell, she was taken straight to a nearby hospital in the town of Governador Valadares, north of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, but died before they arrived.
However, her family disputes the police’s account of what took place.
They say she was leaving for work when she noticed that her autistic brother was being apprehended by the cops.
The victim’s father, Reginaldo Francisco dos Santos, said: “She tried to intervene by explaining that her brother is special so they wouldn’t hit him.
“As a result, several officers gathered around her, claiming she was disrespecting their authority.”
Despite the police leaving the complex first, Reginaldo claims he arrived at the hospital with his wife before they showed up.
He is questioning what happened in intervening minutes.
The father said: “The police left the condominium with Thainara before we left, but they arrived at A&E afterwards.”
He also claimed that his daughter had bruises on her face and neck, as reported by NeedToKnow.
A police statement said: “We are waiting for the conclusions of an expert report to confirm the circumstances and cause of death.
“The investigation is being rigorously conducted to ensure that all the details are clarified.
“The same applies to our commitment to transparency and truth.”
The Military Police said they were attacked by residents while leading one of the suspects away.
A spokesperson stated: “A woman tried to intervene in the police action and was arrested.
“However, during the incident, she felt unwell and was taken to a health centre by officers.
“Upon arrival at the Emergency Care Unit, she was pronounced dead.”
Thainara leaves behind a four-year-old daughter with dwarfism.
The investigation continues.
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