A Brazilian neurologist and college professor allegedly duped a couple at a hospital and kidnapped their brand-new baby. Police arrested Claudia Alves, 42, at her home in Itambura, Goias, on July 24 after she reportedly took off with the infant from the Uberlândia Federal University Hospital Clinic. Thankfully, the infant was not harmed and was reunited with her parents a short time later.
After police arrested Alves, they searched her home and car, and it appears she was well-prepared to care for an infant,
according to the Daily Mail. But instead, she now faces jail time.
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Alves allegedly pretended to be a pediatrician at the hospital.
The Daily Mail reported that Alves went into the family's room at the hospital and allegedly told the baby's parents she was a pediatrician there to feed the baby. The infant was only a few hours old when Alves reportedly took her and stuffed her into a backpack. Alves allegedly took off from the hospital in the middle of the night with the baby.
Surveillance video apparently caught Alves in the act.
She was seen carrying the infant in a blanket and getting into her car, and she then drove 83 miles to her home, according to the Daily Mail. The newspaper O Tempo reported that Alves left the infant with her maid, the Daily Mail noted.
Police located the newborn at Alves' home a short time later and took her to a local hospital. The infant reportedly has a heart condition but was unharmed.
Alves' home appeared to be ready for a baby.
Per the Daily Mail, Uberlândia Civil Police chief Marcos Brandão told FM O Tempo 91.7 radio that investigators learned of Alves' location because she failed to pay a toll. After investigating her home, they found she was well-equipped with baby gear, including a stroller, car seat, and formula.
"She bought several items for the baby, such as diapers and a stroller, which suggests that she planned the events. She did not show any motivation or whether she was going to keep the baby, register it in her name or give it to a third party," according to police via the Daily Mail.
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The baby's family is just happy she is OK.
Her father, Edson Ferreira, told the radio station he and his wife were grateful to have their daughter back.
"It's a relief just to see my daughter again," Ferreira said. "There's no price I can pay. May justice be served, may this woman really be arrested and this never happen to anyone else."
Alves was charged with kidnapping and could face up to eight years in prison. According to the Daily Mail, Uberlândia Federal University Hospital Clinic is investigating the incident.
