Police investigate mother of young man allegedly poisoned in greater São Paulo

The mother of young Lucas da Silva Santos, who died last Sunday, the 20th, at the age of 19, in São Bernardo do Campo (metropolitan region of São Paulo) after eating a supposedly poisoned cake, is being investigated by the police.

According to delegate Liliane Lopes Doretto, from the 8th DP of the municipality, who is leading the case, the victim's mother would have been responsible for buying the alleged poison at the request of her stepfather, Ademilson Ferreira dos Santos, arrested last week.

According to Liliane, her mother was deceived and convinced by her partner that the purchase of the toxic material was to "kill dogs in the area." The information was published by the g1 portal and confirmed by Estadão .

The victim's mother will have to undergo a psychiatric examination to assess her mental capacity and determine whether she acted with "discernment or under a possible incapacitating mental condition," Liliane reports.

Forensic reports that indicate the substance that killed Lucas have not yet been completed.

Lucas's stepfather is in temporary custody and will be charged with first-degree murder. Depending on the results of these reports, the police are expected to request the suspect's pretrial detention. According to the police chief, the investigation is in its final stages and awaits the conclusion of these tests.

The man responsible for selling the substance was also arrested on July 17, the Public Security Department reported. He confessed to selling the product without authorization from the appropriate authorities. At a custody hearing, the man was released following a court ruling.

Victim died on Sunday

Lucas da Silva Santos was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Emergency Hospital in São Bernardo do Campo on July 13, hours after consuming allegedly poisoned cupcakes. He began to feel ill after ingesting the food.

Last Sunday, the 20th, the young man's health condition worsened and he was declared brain dead. It is suspected that the food was delivered by Ferreira dos Santos, the boy's stepfather, who was arrested last Wednesday, the 16th.

According to Chief Liliane Doretto of the 8th Police District of São Bernardo, the arrest warrant was issued after contradictions were found in the statements given during the investigation. She believes the crime may have been motivated by passion.

Liliane also stated that Lucas and his stepfather had a close relationship, but that the young man was close to changing address after meeting someone.

"This triggers some kind of alarm bell in Ademilson's possession, and I think he felt desperate when he realized he might lose him," says the police chief. "I believe it's a crime of passion. I don't know if he wanted to scare Lucas or prevent him from moving to another city. The fact is that Lucas was, indeed, poisoned," she said in a press interview on the day of his arrest.