Couple Jailed For 26 Years After Murdering Young Mum To Steal Her Three-Month-Old Baby

A couple who murdered a young mother so they could steal her three-month-old baby and pass him off as their own have been jailed for more than 26 years each.

Rafael Nicolau Miguel and Sheila Nicolau were sentenced at Sapucaia do Sul, in the Porto Alegre metropolitan area of Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil, on 27 August.

Rafael was jailed for 26 years and one month, while Sheila received a sentence of 26 years and three days.

The pair were convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping of a minor and attempting to register another person's child as their own.

Their victim, 22-year-old Vitória da Silva Saliba Rodrigues, was killed between the night of 28 January and the early hours of 29 January 2024.

Prosecutors said Vitória had been in a relationship with Rafael and believed Sheila was his mother when she was actually his wife.

The couple allegedly invited Vitória to meet Rafael's relatives before taking her to an isolated area in Sapucaia do Sul.

Rafael punched the young mother before she was strangled with a car seat belt and by hand, according to prosecutors.

Her body was then abandoned in an area with little passing traffic and partially covered with branches.

Vitória's three-month-old son, who was with her at the time, was taken by the couple.

Rafael and Sheila later presented the baby to relatives and acquaintances as their own child and bought supplies for him.

They also tried to register the boy as their son at a civil registry office in Porto Alegre but failed because they did not have the necessary documentation.

The attempt raised suspicions among staff and the baby was later found by police with the couple.

Footage recorded on 3 February 2024 shows the child being reunited with his father and maternal grandparents after his rescue.

Defence lawyer Nilson de Souza Gaya said the convictions would be appealed to the Rio Grande do Sul State Court of Justice in an attempt to have the jury verdict overturned.

(Newsflash)