A brutal crime has shaken the city of Cariacica, in Espírito Santo, and left the community in a state of shock. The death of little Maya Pereira, just one year old, exposed a cruel reality that hides behind the walls of many homes: domestic violence against children.

The main suspect, the child’s own father, a 19-year-old young man, confessed to the crime on Saturday, May 17. The tragedy sheds light on the dangers of omission and the devastating cost of silence.

On the morning of Sunday, May 18, the suspect voluntarily presented himself at the local police station.

Without putting up any resistance, he told the police that he had taken his own daughter’s life. The coldness of his testimony and the nature of the details described shocked even the most experienced officers. After his confession, the man was taken to a triage center, where he remains in custody, awaiting the court decision that will determine his future.

The girl’s body was found in the house where she lived with her parents. Experts identified multiple injuries, including bruises on various parts of the body and a bite mark on the child’s left arm. The scene indicated a routine of mistreatment that culminated in an irreversible outcome.

According to her, the attacks were frequent, but rarely reported formally. “He had already beaten his wife several times. With Maya, it was worse. He said that her crying drove him crazy. There was a day when he didn’t go to work just to spend the day beating her,” said Rafaela.

The neighbor also reported that the child had one of his arms broken during one of the aggression sessions.

The fact, however, was not communicated to the authorities, revealing the extent of fear and the normalization of violence within the community.

Another factor that may have contributed to the escalation of aggression was isolation. The family had temporarily moved to a rural area, away from their support network and the watchful eyes of friends and neighbors.

During this period, rumors about alleged doubts regarding Maya’s paternity intensified the father’s hostility. The family’s return to the old neighborhood rekindled the episodes of violence, but no one expected that the situation would end in such a serious tragedy.

The child’s mother also gave a statement to the Civil Police. Despite suspicions of collusion or negligence, she was released due to lack of evidence of involvement in the crime. However, investigations are ongoing, and new information is expected to emerge in the coming days.