Woman, 37, Arrested After Posing as 12-Year-Old Girl & Living With Family for 14 Months

Woman, 37, Arrested After Posing as 12-Year-Old Girl & Living With Family for 14 Months – A 37-year-old woman in Brazil has been arrested after allegedly tricking a family into believing she was a 12-year-old girl fleeing abuse, leading them to welcome her into their home and treat her as their daughter for more than a year.

The suspect was arrested on June 2 at the family’s residence in the Pirabeiraba district of Joinville. Police say she used the fake name “Gabriele” and claimed she had escaped from abusive parents in the northern Brazilian state of Pará.

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Investigators revealed that the woman initially approached a local church, where she told a pastor she was a victim of mistreatment. Members of the church community reportedly offered financial support and helped her find accommodation before a local family eventually took her in.

According to police, the couple became emotionally attached to the suspect and cared for her as if she were their own child for approximately 14 months.

To maintain the deception, detectives say the woman claimed to suffer from autism and other medical conditions. She allegedly told the family that she had been forced to take hormones as a child due to abuse, which she said explained her adult appearance.

Police further allege that she adopted childlike behaviour, including using baby bottles, pacifiers and a comfort cloth while sleeping. She is also accused of speaking in a high-pitched voice, faking panic attacks during the night and acting emotionally dependent to gain sympathy and attention.

The family reportedly organised a 12th birthday celebration for her, paid for medical treatment and even considered formally adopting her.

However, investigators said the suspect repeatedly avoided discussions about legal adoption procedures and never produced any identification documents.

Detective Rodrigo Bueno Gusso said the woman convinced the family not to enrol her in school by claiming her abusive father would discover her whereabouts.

The alleged fraud was eventually uncovered after a concerned relative alerted authorities, prompting a police investigation that led to her arrest.

Police say the suspect had allegedly attempted similar scams in the past and investigations are continuing.