Criciúma couple arrested after deceased baby brought to clinic

A 22-year-old couple was arrested for abandonment of an incapable person in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, after bringing a deceased 5-month-old baby to a local Urgent Care Unit (UPA).

Medical staff attempted resuscitation efforts, but the infant did not survive. Initial assessments suggested the death occurred hours before arrival and noted an injury in the anal region. During the incident, authorities discovered the couple had left their 4-year-old son alone in their vehicle in the hospital parking lot for approximately two hours.

The Tutelary Council noted that the same couple had reportedly brought a different 7-month-old baby dead to a health center in 2025 under similar circumstances. The 4-year-old child was rescued and placed with a foster family. The Civil Police are conducting an inquiry, and the Medical Legal Institute will perform examinations to determine the official cause of death.