Brazilian Woman Found Guilty of Fraud for Pretending to Be a Child

A 37-year-old woman in Brazil, Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, was found guilty of fraud and false identity for living with a foster family while pretending to be a child. The Court of Justice of Santa Catarina announced the conviction on Thursday. Oliveira lived with the family for 14 months, claiming she had fled from abuse. She later admitted to creating a false identity and age. According to reports, she had been living under this false identity for 15 years, using a childlike voice and claiming to have undergone hormone treatments to appear younger. Oliveira was sentenced to one year, six months, and 10 days in prison, along with additional detention. Her lawyer stated that Oliveira's actions were a means of survival, emphasizing her vulnerability and lack of financial gain from her actions. Oliveira expressed that she did not intend to hurt anyone and sought the care she missed in her childhood. Following the verdict, her legal team announced plans to appeal.