Woman Pretends to Be 12-Year-Old Girl to Get Adopted by Family

Police in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina uncovered a shocking case involving a 37-year-old woman who allegedly pretended to be a 12-year-old girl in an attempt to get adopted by a family.

The woman, identified as Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, reportedly told people she was a 12-year-old girl named Gabriela who had escaped an abusive home in the state of Pará.

She first gained the trust of a church pastor in Joinville. Members of the church believed her story and offered financial help. She was later introduced to a local family who welcomed her into their home.

According to reports, Amanda worked hard to maintain the image of a young child. She drank milk from a baby bottle, used a pacifier, asked for a comfort blanket at bedtime, spoke in a high-pitched voice, and even pretended to suffer from nightmares.

Many people later questioned how anyone could believe she was 12 years old. Amanda reportedly explained her appearance by claiming she had been forced to take hormones as a child and that years of abuse had affected her physical development.

The family trusted her completely. They celebrated what they believed was her 12th birthday, paid for obesity treatment, and even planned to legally adopt her.

However, some relatives became suspicious and contacted police to investigate her background.

Authorities eventually discovered that “Gabriela” was actually a 37-year-old woman. Investigators also found that she had allegedly carried out similar schemes in other Brazilian states, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais.

In another reported incident in 2023, Amanda allegedly claimed she had been the victim of witchcraft rituals. To support her story, she reportedly inserted around 100 metal needles into her skin.

Police said the suspect confessed during questioning. She was charged with fraud and identity theft and transferred to prison in Joinville.

Her lawyer has requested a psychiatric evaluation, arguing that Amanda may be suffering from a mental illness and might not be fully responsible for her actions.