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Henry Borel's father testifies son said mother 'was not good' before death

5 sources · 31 May 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

Henry Borel's father, Leniel Borel, testified at Rio de Janeiro's 2nd Jury Court that the 4-year-old boy said his mother "was not good" hours before being found in respiratory arrest at the apartment where he lived with Monique Medeiros and former councilman Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, known as Dr. Jairinho. The boy died on March 8, 2021.

Press quotes (3)
O Tempo

"Mamãe não é boa". Essa teria sido uma das últimas falas do pequeno Henry Borel, ao pai, Leniel Borel, horas antes do menino dar entrada em um hospital com quadro de parada respiratória"

Bomdia

"Processo nº: 03313777320218190001. TJ-RJ."

Mprj

"em face de JAIRO SOUZA SANTOS JUNIOR, vulgo "DOUTOR JAIRINHO" e MONIQUE MEDEIROS DA COSTA E SILVA DE ALMEIDA"

According to Leniel's testimony, which began Friday and concluded early Saturday morning, Henry hesitated to stay with his mother after a weekend with his father and only agreed after Monique promised they would look for a new house to live in. The boy reportedly showed nervousness and nausea on the way to his mother's house in Barra da Tijuca.

Press quotes (1)
Veja

"Após passar o fim de semana com o pai, Henry só aceitou ficar com a mãe depois que ela prometeu que eles procurariam outra casa para morar"

Forensic expert Luiz Carlos Leal Prestes, a prosecution witness, stated that Henry showed "multiple injuries in different parts of the body" and signs of brain edema caused by "blunt force trauma to the head." According to the expert, "this child felt great pain" and the injuries were produced independently, being "incompatible with a single fall."

Press quotes (1)
O Tempo

"O perito Luiz Carlos Leal Prestes, testemunha do Ministério Público, disse ao tribunal que havia multiplicidade de ferimentos em diferentes partes do corpo da criança, além de sinais de edema cerebral provocados por ações contundentes na cabeça"

1. What we know (2)

Henry Borel told his father that his mother 'was not good' before dying

2 sources O Tempo Veja

Trial is in its sixth/seventh day with verdict expected for Tuesday

2 sources O Tempo Veja
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Leniel Borel cried during his testimony in court

Reported by: O Tempo
Did not cover: Veja

Henry showed signs on his body but couldn't explain the marks

Reported by: Veja
Did not cover: O Tempo

Conflicting versions (1)

Judicial process number

1 source — "Process nº 0066541-75.2021.8.19.0001": Conjur
1 source — "Process nº 0333177-73.2021.8.19.0001": Bomdia
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What specific legal doctrine or test is the court applying in evaluating the evidence and testimony?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources do not detail the legal criteria or precedents guiding the jury's decision

    Did not cover: O Tempo Veja
  • What other evidence besides the father's testimony and forensic analysis is being presented at trial?

    Why it's still unknown: Coverage focuses mainly on the father's testimony and forensic evidence, without detailing other case evidence

    Did not cover: O Tempo Veja
  • What was the specific response from Jairinho and Monique's defense regarding the father's testimony?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources do not report the defense's reaction or challenge to Leniel Borel's testimony

    Did not cover: O Tempo Veja

All sources

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