Auricélia Rocha had been working as a nursing technician at the Dona Evangelina Rosa Maternity Hospital in Teresina, Brazil, for two years. She was not on duty that day.
Cameras captured her minutes before two in the afternoon, walking down the hallway with a newborn in her arms. She told the mother, who was only 14 years old, that she needed to take the baby for some tests. The young mother’s aunt did not believe her and decided to wait outside the room.
Two minutes later, Auricélia left without the baby but carrying a black bag. She went into the bathroom and returned wearing different clothes. When the aunt opened the bag, she found the girl inside. At the nurse’s home, police found a crib, diapers, and baby clothes already prepared: her family believed she was pregnant, although she never showed a test confirming it.
Her defense claimed schizophrenia and ongoing psychiatric treatment. She now remains in pretrial detention as the investigation into attempted kidnapping moves forward.