Woman, 37, arrested after posing as 12-year-old girl so she could trick couple into adopting her

Thursday, June 4, 2026 -A 37-year-old woman has been arrested after she pretended to be a 12-year-old girl in order to deceive a couple who adopted her for 14 months. 

The woman posed as a child named "Gabriele" and even drank from a baby bottle as part of an alleged ruse. 

The couple was deceived for a year and even threw Gabriele a birthday bash hosted. 

The bizarre case came to light when police apprehended the suspect at the family's residence in the Pirabeiraba district of Joinville, Brazil, on June 2. 

The authorities stated that the suspect, who had attempted the same ruse previously, used the alias "Gabriele" and persuaded a local family to take her in after alleging she had escaped abuse in the northern state of Para. 

Local media reported her real name is Amanda Maria Sousa Oliveira. 

According to the investigators, the suspect initially approached a church in Joinville and informed a pastor that she had fled from mistreatment. 

Members of the religious community reportedly began providing her with financial assistance and found her a place to stay before the family eventually took her into their home. 

The police said the couple developed an emotional bond with the suspect and treated her as their own child for approximately 14 months. 

Investigators revealed that the 37-year-old claimed to be suffering from autism and other medical conditions to justify her adult appearance. She also allegedly told the family that she had been forced to take hormones as a child due to abuse, which she claimed resulted in her mature features. 

Detectives stated that the suspect adopted childlike behaviour to make her claim believable, including using baby bottles, dummies and a comfort blanket for sleep. The police also reported that she feigned panic attacks during her time with the family. 

The woman reportedly spoke in a high-pitched voice and acted emotionally dependent to gain attention and sympathy throughout the night. 

The unsuspecting family even threw a 12th birthday party for her, paid for obesity medication, and considered formally adopting her. 

Investigators revealed that she consistently avoided discussions about official adoption procedures and never had identification documents on her.