WARNING DISTURBING CONTENT: A ‘new mum’ arrived at hospital with a baby and alongside her husband tried to register the birth, until she was examined and an abhorrent crime was allegedly uncovered by authorities
A woman and her husband raised the suspicions of doctors and medical experts when they turned up at a local hospital with a newborn baby requesting to register the infant’s arrival.
They claimed the child had been born at home but hospital staff noticed the ‘new mother’ didn’t show any signs of a recent birth. Medical tests showed the woman had not had a baby, and she wasn’t producing breast milk when she tried to feed the baby.
Police were called and a truly gruesome crime was uncovered, which involved the biological mother of the child and a sickening murder. Brazilian Nataly Helen Martins Pereira, 25, and her husband, chef Christian Albino Cebalho de Arruda, 28, were arrested a few hours later at the Santa Helena Maternity Hospital.
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The Civil Police of Mato Grosso say that Nataly “coldly confessed to the facts” of killing a 16-year-old girl who was heavily pregnant. On March 13, the day after she was reported missing, police discovered Emelly Beatriz Azevedo Sena’s body buried in the garden of a home in the Jardim Florianópolis neighborhood of Cuiabá.
The residence belonged to Nataly’s brother, and police were allegedly directed there after her confession. Emelly’s body was found in a shallow grave with part of a leg visible. Two plastic bags were covering her head and internet cables were wrapped around her neck, hands and legs, according to authorities.
In another disgusting discovery, the teenager, who was nine months pregnant, had been cut open and her unborn baby removed from her womb. “The victim’s belly was open, indicating a situation of forced labor, in addition to showing signs of hanging, strangulation and asphyxiation,” authorities said. Detective Caio Alexandre told local media that the couple had “used a bladed weapon to remove the baby”.
Forensic reports confirmed that the teen suffered asphyxiation and had her abdomen cut open while still alive, resulting in haemorrhagic hypovolemic shock. The body showed several other injuries, including punch marks on the face and signs of restraint on the wrists and ankles.
The suspect’s brother and a friend were at the home when police arrived. They were questioned and released. The suspect’s husband was also questioned. He told investigators that he had believed his wife had genuinely given birth, and was unaware of the murder. He even shared a photo of the child on social media, accompanied by a caption reading “be well my daughter”, to announce he had become a dad.
It’s alleged that Nataly lured Emelly to the house with WhatsApp messages that promised her a donation of some baby clothes. Emelly’s mother, Ana Paula Meridiane, told Brazilian outlet G1 News that the woman told her daughter she was a mum and was expecting another child, and had even paid for her transport to her home. Ana explained: “She said she had received a lot of baby clothes and wanted to donate some to Emelly. She sent her the location and even transferred money via Pix so my daughter could go there to pick them up. But she went and never came back.
Nataly is currently in prison awaiting trial – a date has not yet been set. She was charged with eight crimes: femicide, attempted abortion, newborn subtraction, supposed birth, concealment of a corpse, procedural fraud, forgery of private document and use of false document, according to G1.
On September 1, Nataly’s defence filed an appeal requesting that she undergo a mental health examination. Reporter MT says her attorneys claim the defendant exhibits tremors and sweating, and is taking psychotropic medication. According to her outpatient records at the Ana Maria do Couto May Penitentiary she is also receiving psychological counselling.
They are requesting the dismissal or downgrading of some of the charges against her. However the State Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPE) argued there are no elements that raise reasonable doubts about the defendant’s mental health at the time of the crime. The website states that records indicate she acted meticulously and in a premeditated and organised manner that demonstrates full awareness of the unlawfulness and unusual coldness in the execution of the crime.
Emelly’s baby was discharged from hospital after undergoing tests. She was being cared for at her mother’s family home, under the care of her maternal grandmother and father. Emelly’s mum said: “I didn’t just lose a daughter, I lost a friend, partner and companion. Only those who lived with her know how wonderful her heart was.”