Izabel Cardoso de Andrade, 59, is accused of baking the deadly treat while her granchildren were staying over during the summer holidays – killing a nine-year-old girl and the family cat
A grandma has been arrested after allegedly poisoning her two grandchildren with cake, killing one.
Izabel Cardoso de Andrade, 59, is accused of baking the deadly treat during the summer holidays while her grandchildren were visiting. Her husband reportedly brought home another cake and some cheese bread for the youngsters’ snack time.
The nine-year-old victim, Alana dos Santos Cardoso Marques, fell gravely ill almost immediately, while her 11-year-old sister, who ate less, experienced milder symptoms. Even the family cat suffered after tasting the treat. Both children began vomiting and complaining of severe stomach pain after consuming the cake on July 23.
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Alana was said to have expelled a white liquid from her nose, prompting her grandparents to call for help. A neighbour rushed her to hospital, but she tragically died from cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after arrival. Police discovered the cat had also died after showing the same symptoms. Authorities collected samples of the cake for testing at the family home in São Francisco, east of Brazil.
Cardoso de Andrade was arrested on Friday, September 19. Forensic tests revealed terbufos – a toxic pesticide – in both the cake and Alana’s body. The chemical attacks the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness and, in high doses, death. Other symptoms include seizures, breathing difficulties and cramps, leading to possible neurological damage and even death.
After being examined by a vet, the cat was found to have died of liver failure, suggesting poisoning as a likely cause of death.
The suspect’s lawyer, Raphael Sim es de Moraes Neto, said his client voluntarily worked with investigators and allowed searches at her home. Officers said they were investigating whether the poisionig was intentional or a terrible accident, and are not yet aware of any motive. The investigation is ongoing.
It comes after a woman was accused of fatally poisoning three of her in-laws with an arsenic-laced cake last Christmas. Deise Moura dos Anjos allegedly poisoned six of her husband’s family members, with three falling seriously ill and the other three dying after consuming the cake. The suspect, from Brazil, allegedly killed herself while being held in a pre-trial detention centre in February.
Last month, Aussie mum Erin Patterson was jailed for life after murdering three of her estranged husband’s relatives by serving them a beef wellington laced with poisonous mushrooms.