Rio de Janeiro stepfather detained for severe child abuse

A Rio de Janeiro judge denied bail and ordered preventive detention for Jorge Leandro Marques de Lima de Moraes, accused of severely abusing his 3‑year‑old stepdaughter in the Santa Cruz neighborhood of the city's West Zone. The child was rescued with bruises, cuts and other injuries and was taken to Hospital Pedro II before being placed under the care of the local child‑protective council.

Judge Mírian Aninger Murad said the suspect, who also faces charges of corruption of minors because the child's mother was a teenager at the time, poses a risk to public order and the victim’s safety. The mother, Rafaela Moreira de Lima, was also detained. Both attempted to flee with the girl but were captured on Avenida Brasil near Bangu. The stepfather will remain in preventive custody while the investigation proceeds.