Police in Brazil say Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira allegedly posed as a 12-year-old runaway girl named Gabriela in an effort to be taken in by a family and eventually adopted.
According to investigators, she told a church pastor that she had fled an abusive home. Members of the church community provided financial support and connected her with a family willing to care for her. During her time with the family, they reportedly celebrated what they believed was her 12th birthday and began exploring the adoption process.
Authorities say Amanda attempted to explain her adult appearance by claiming childhood hormone treatments and years of abuse had caused her to age prematurely.
The scheme reportedly unraveled when a relative became suspicious and found information online linking her to similar incidents. Police later discovered comparable cases in at least seven Brazilian states.
Amanda eventually admitted her true identity during questioning, according to authorities. She is currently being held at Joinville Women’s Prison while the case proceeds.
Her lawyer has suggested that underlying psychological issues may have contributed to her actions, and a judge has authorized a psychiatric evaluation.