Overview
- Police in Joinville say a family relative grew suspicious, searched online and alerted officers who arrested Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira at the home on June 3.
- Investigators allege the 37‑year‑old used the name Gabrielle, claimed she was autistic, adopted childlike mannerisms and lived with one family for about 14 months while they prepared to adopt her.
- Authorities say she has been linked to similar deceptions in at least seven Brazilian states and that she has a prior conviction for false identity in Goiás that had not been served.
- Reporting of an earlier 2023 episode in Rio de Janeiro says volunteers arranged imaging that allegedly found more than 200 needles in her body, which investigators say were self‑inserted to support abuse claims.
- She is held in Joinville Women’s Prison on fraud and identity‑theft charges, a judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation, and police continue to investigate other alleged cases in multiple cities.