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Recovered Cousin Guides Maranhão Search as Sonar Scans Mearim River

Police are concentrating searches near an abandoned shack by the Mearim River identified with the recovered child's guidance.

Overview

  • After 14 days in hospital, the 8-year-old received court authorization to accompany police and indicated the route he took with his cousins.
  • He pointed investigators to an abandoned shack known as the “casa caída” near the Mearim River, where scent dogs detected the children's traces.
  • Multiagency teams, including Navy personnel and divers, are using side scan sonar to map the riverbed and steer underwater searches along targeted stretches.
  • The Maranhão Civil Police formed an eight-member commission to lead the investigation and say there is no indication that local residents are involved.
  • Search operations span about 54 km² of dense, difficult terrain; the temporary camp at the quilombo was dismantled after a full sweep and most volunteers have left.