Victim Describes Trauma as Accused Employer Denies Beatings in Maranhão Abuse Case

Overview

• Police are holding businesswoman Carolina Stella Ferreira dos Anjos and military police officer Michael Bruno Lopes Santos while they investigate suspected attempted murder with aggravating factors, torture, and unlawful detention.
• Investigators obtained audio messages in which the employer recounts the assaults in a mocking tone, and a forensic exam confirmed injuries to the victim’s face, back, and left arm along with widespread bruises.
• The victim, Samara, says she learned what was in the recordings only after the case became public, reports ongoing fear and flashbacks, and says an ultrasound showed her pregnancy is stable.
• Samara recounts being punched and slapped, threatened with a gun, and forced to shield her belly on the floor during the beating after she was accused of stealing a ring.
• In a TV interview, Carolina denied hitting the worker and said she may have gone too far in her words, while defense lawyers for both suspects say they will speak after the inquiry ends and Samara’s counsel says there is no proof she stole anything.