A stepmom in Brazil faces murder charges after apparently tricking a 3-year-old into falling into a washing machine.
Suzana Dazar dos Santos has been charged in the May 2022 death of her stepdaughter Isabelly Oliveira Assumpção, according to PEOPLE magazine. The death has been classified as an "intentional homicide."
CNN Brasil reported that the woman put the child on a bench near the washing machine, which was full of water and toys. She then left the child alone in the room.
Prosecutors contend the act was motivated by jealousy, noting that the woman's husband was still close to the girl's mother, PEOPLE reported.
Defense attorneys content the incident was an accident, and that the stepmom and child had a good relationship, PEOPLE reported.
However, an attorney for the little girl's mother disagreed.
PEOPLE reported that attorney Alexander Beilner, said the suspect "prepared the entire situation for the crime to happen." The child died due to internal mechanical asphyxia (drowning).
