✓ verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 37, was arrested on June 2, 2026 in Joinville, Santa Catarina, after pretending to be a 12-year-old adolescent and living for 14 months as an adoptive daughter of a family. The Civil Police is investigating crimes of fraud and false identity. ?
Press quotes (2)
"A mulher de 37 anos presa após confessar ter se passado por uma adolescente de 12 anos e vivido por 14 meses como filha adotiva de uma família em Joinville (SC) foi identificada como Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira."
"Segundo a Polícia Civil, que investiga estelionato e falsa identidade"
The woman used the false name "Gabriele" and maintained infantilized behaviors — she used a pacifier, baby bottle and pretended to have fear crises at night so the adoptive mother would help her sleep. To justify her adult appearance, she claimed to have been a victim of abuse and forced to take hormones in childhood. She also said she had Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and avoided going to school claiming that the alleged abusive father would discover where she was. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Por 14 meses, ela usou chupeta, mamadeira e fingia ter crises de medo à noite para a mãe adotiva fazê-la dormir."
"Ela veio com uma história triste, disse que ela foi obrigada na infância a viver em uma casa de prostituição e que nesse local era obrigada a tomar hormônios para desenvolver um porte físico maior"
According to detective Rodrigo Bueno Gusso, the suspect has records in Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Ceará, using "the same modus operandi" and changing only the first name. The family, described as "well-structured economically and socially," even planned a 12th birthday party for her and funded obesity treatment. The defense requested a mental health examination, and the judge ordered an official expert examination to evaluate the defendant's psychological condition. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A investigada tem passagens pelo Rio Grande do Sul, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro e Ceará. Segundo o delegado, ela possuía 'o mesmo modus operandi e a única coisa que mudava era o primeiro nome"
"O requerimento foi acolhido pelo Juízo, que determinou a realização de perícia oficial para avaliação de sua condição psíquica."
The fraud was discovered after a complaint from a relative of the adoptive family last week. Amanda confessed to the crime and remains in preventive custody at the Joinville Regional Prison. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Na semana passada, a polícia foi procurada por um parente da família 'adotiva' e iniciou a investigação."
"A mulher, que se passava por Gabriele e completará 38 anos na semana que vem, foi detida na casa das vítimas, no distrito de Pirabeiraba. Conforme a Polícia Civil, ela é investigada pelo crime de estelionato e falsa identidade. Ela confessou o crime."
Amanda remained 14 months with the family in Joinville using infantilized behaviors
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
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What was the suspect's specific motivation for applying the scam?
Why it's still unknown: The detective mentioned that the advantage was not only monetary, but did not specify other motivations. The psychiatric examination may clarify behavioral aspects.
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How many similar cases were recorded in the other mentioned states?
Why it's still unknown: Police confirmed records in six states, but did not detail the number of victim families or previous criminal cases.
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What was the result of the 2023 arrest in Nova Iguaçu?
Why it's still unknown: Correio 24 Horas mentions previous arrest, but does not report whether there was conviction or how the case was resolved.