Santa Catarina, Brazil – Police in southern Brazil say they have uncovered one of the country's most unusual identity fraud cases after a 37-year-old woman allegedly spent more than a year pretending to be a 12-year-old girl in an attempt to be adopted by a local family.
Authorities in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina say the woman, identified as Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, allegedly assumed the identity of a young girl named "Gabriela," claiming she had fled an abusive home and was in desperate need of care and protection.
The elaborate deception reportedly lasted for approximately 14 months before relatives of the adoptive family became suspicious and alerted authorities.
A Story That Won Hearts
According to investigators, Oliveira first approached a church in the city of Joinville, the largest city in Santa Catarina.
She allegedly convinced a local pastor and members of the congregation that she was a 12-year-old autistic girl who had escaped an abusive family in the northern state of Pará.
Moved by her story, church members reportedly provided her with financial assistance and helped connect her with a family willing to take her in.
Police say the family opened their home to the woman, believing they were helping a vulnerable child in need.
Maintaining a Childlike Persona
Investigators say Oliveira went to extraordinary lengths to maintain the deception.
According to police reports, she:
- Spoke in a high-pitched, childlike voice;
- Drank milk from a baby bottle;
- Used a pacifier;
- Requested a comfort blanket at bedtime;
- Claimed to suffer from nightmares and emotional trauma.
Authorities say these behaviors helped convince the family that she was indeed a child who had endured years of abuse.
Explaining Her Adult Appearance
Many people who later learned of the case wondered how a grown adult could convince others that she was only 12 years old.
According to investigators, Oliveira had an explanation ready.
She allegedly claimed that she had been forced to take hormones as a child and that years of abuse had caused her to age prematurely and affected her physical development.
Police say the family accepted her explanation and continued to support her.
Family Planned to Adopt Her
According to local media reports, the family became deeply attached to the woman they believed to be a young girl.
They reportedly:
- Celebrated her "12th birthday";
- Paid for medical treatments, including obesity medication;
- Began discussing legal adoption procedures.
Authorities say the family genuinely believed they were caring for a vulnerable child and had no reason to suspect they were being deceived.
Suspicion Leads to Investigation
The alleged scheme began to unravel when a relative of the family became suspicious and contacted police, asking investigators to verify the girl's identity and background.
Authorities subsequently launched an inquiry and discovered that "Gabriela" was actually a 37-year-old woman.
Not Her First Alleged Deception
Police say the case was not an isolated incident.
Investigators allege that Oliveira had previously impersonated minors in several Brazilian states, including:
- São Paulo;
- Rio de Janeiro;
- Minas Gerais.
According to authorities, she allegedly lived with families who felt sympathy for her circumstances and offered assistance.
In another reported incident in 2023, police say she claimed to be a 12-year-old girl who had been subjected to occult rituals and allegedly inserted dozens of metal needles into her skin to support her story.
Authorities are continuing to investigate whether other families may have been deceived in similar ways.
Charges and Mental Health Evaluation
Following her arrest, Oliveira reportedly confessed during questioning.
She has since been charged with:
- Fraud; and
- Identity theft.
She was transferred to Joinville Prison pending further legal proceedings.
According to local reports, her attorney has requested a psychiatric evaluation, suggesting that mental health issues may have played a role in the alleged deception.
Officials have not released any findings regarding her mental condition, and the legal process remains ongoing.
Family Described as Victims of an Elaborate Scheme
Authorities say there is no indication that the family knowingly participated in any wrongdoing.
Instead, investigators believe they were victims of an unusually elaborate deception carried out over more than a year.
The case has generated widespread attention across Brazil and sparked discussions about identity fraud, vulnerability, and the complexities of mental health.
Editor's Note: The allegations in this case are based on information released by Brazilian authorities. The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, and legal proceedings remain ongoing.
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