A pregnant mum was allegedly killed by a family acquaintance who wanted to steal her unborn baby and pass it off as her own.
The horror came to light when the suspect took the newborn boy to a hospital and medics declared him dead.
They called the police after carrying out tests on the woman and discovering that she hadn’t given birth to the infant.
READ MORE: ‘Claim cheat’ tries to simulate a car hit but actually gets run over
Officers went to her flat and found the body of Paula Janaína Ferreira Melo hidden under the bed and wrapped in plastic.
Paula, 25, was due to give birth to little Endrick on 5 November.
The police say the suspect, Joseane de Oliveira Jardim, invited her to her flat on Monday (14 Oct) night to give her a pushchair.
In the flat in Porto Alegre, Brazil, she allegedly struck Paula in the head, cut open her belly, and ripped the baby from her womb.
She then allegedly staged a scene to make it look like she’d just given birth in her living room by putting the infant and Paula’s blood between her legs.
Her neighbours called for an ambulance and Joseane, 42, and the newborn were taken to a hospital in the city.
She was arrested at the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday (15 Oct).
Local media say she is expected to be charged with homicide, concealment of a body, and child destruction.
Paula leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter. She was also the adoptive mum of her sister’s three-year-old daughter.
Her brother-in-law, Bruno Lopes, told local media that she had already bought nappies, clothes, and toys for the infant.
The only thing left for her to get was a pushchair.
Bruno said: “I think she decided to go and collect the item from the killer’s house because it was nearby.
“Paula lived just a few streets away from this woman and probably thought there wouldn’t be any issue going over.
“Unfortunately, out of naivety, she was lured in and murdered by monsters.”
Joseane’s partner has also been taken into custody as his possible involvement in the crime is investigated.
The police say Joseane dreamed of having a baby, as reported by Need To Know.
She began pretending to be pregnant in August and even showed her partner ultrasound images.
Lead investigator, Graziela Zinelli said: “She had a history of trying to get pregnant, but failing.
“She is said to have lost a child some time ago.”
Graziela believes Joseane hatched the harrowing plan at least two months before the crime date.
She told local media: “She approached Paula specifically on her own birthday. She decided that the baby would be born on the same day.
“Any suggestion that this was accidental is ruled out. It was completely premeditated.”
Paula’s husband, Eduardo, is said to be crushed by the crime.
Bruno said: “The couple was in a happy place, looking forward to having their first biological child together. My brother is devastated.”
Paula will be laid to rest in Porto Alegre today (16 Oct)
Her uncle, Carlos Alberto Lopes, said: “She was such a happy girl, always laughing.”
READ MORE: Teacher shot dead by hitman in front of students at school
