Mum Arrested After Daughter, 10, Found Dead With Dog Collar Around Her Neck As Police Probe Sexual Exploitation

The mother of a ten-year-old girl found dead with a dog collar around her neck has been arrested after investigators found evidence that the child had been subjected to prolonged sexual abuse, allegedly in exchange for money or other benefits.

The mother, identified only as Angelica, was arrested on Tuesday, 25th August, after investigators carried out a reconstruction at the family home and uncovered what police described as serious contradictions in the accounts given by the mother and neighbours.

Samyra Roberta Almeida was found dead on 10th August at the home where she lived with her family in the Caraguava neighbourhood of Peruíbe, on the coast of Sao Paulo state in southeastern Brazil,.

Her nine-year-old brother discovered her during the early hours and alerted their mother, who called emergency services.

Samyra was found with a dog collar and cord around her neck, but investigators quickly ruled out a straightforward suicide after examining how the leash had been positioned and the height of the ten-year-old.

Forensic examinations subsequently confirmed that Samyra had suffered recurrent physical and sexual abuse over a prolonged period.

The findings prompted police to broaden the investigation beyond the circumstances of her death and examine whether the child had been subjected to sexual exploitation.

Investigators are also examining whether Angelica could have received money or housing benefits in exchange for allowing the alleged abuse to take place.

Angelica, whose surname has not been released, was detained by Sao Paulo Civil Police and taken to the city’s Women’s Police Station, where she remained at the disposal of the courts.

Police said contradictions in statements and new evidence gathered during the investigation had led them to seek her temporary detention.

A formal reconstruction of the events was carried out at the family home on 25th August, with investigators comparing Angelica’s account with statements given by neighbours who lived upstairs.

Police said the accounts contained serious contradictions concerning the timeline of events surrounding Samyra’s death.

Investigators had previously questioned a 74-year-old neighbour and his 47-year-old son, as well as relatives, including Samyra’s maternal aunts.

The family had also been monitored by child protection authorities before Samyra’s death, and police were awaiting reports from the agency.

Angelica previously told local media that she had never noticed anything indicating that her daughter was being abused.

She said: "It is very difficult for me. She did not show anything, she always liked to play and dance

“I went into a panic because I am her mother and I never noticed anything, but the doctor told me that my daughter was being abused.”

Samyra’s aunt Adriana Coelho described the ten-year-old as affectionate and said she had dreamed of becoming a model.

Adriana said: "She was a very loving girl, I only have good memories of her.

"She was happy. She was only ten years old, an innocent child, and we need to know what happened to Samyra."

Police are investigating possible offences involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of a child, along with other circumstances connected to her death.

The investigation remains under seal, while Angelica is presumed innocent unless and until a final court decision establishes otherwise.

(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)