Security footage revealed a nurse technician allegedly kidnapping a newborn from the hospital where she worked.
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Authorities in northeastern Brazil detained Auricelia de Sousa Rocha, who worked at the Dona Evangelina Rosa Maternity Hospital in Teresina, Piauí, in connection to the crime, reports PEOPLE.
The Nurse Wasn't Working the Day of the Incident
The incident allegedly took place on July 6. Rocha was not working a shift at the time of the incident.
Footage shows a woman wearing scrubs, a cap, and a mask with a large bag. At one moment, she can be seen carrying an infant in a red blanket with the bag.
The aunt of the victim claims that Rocha posed as a nurse and offered to help with tests before taking the baby and placing her inside the bag. The sister of the teenage mother then watched her take the baby to a room in the maternity ward. A few moments later, Rocha came out without the baby.
"She already had that big, black bag over her shoulder, and although I had already handed the baby over, I had a bad feeling about it," said the aunt.
The Attempted Kidnapping Appears to Be Premeditated
Afterward, Rocha changed out of her scrubs and went into a bathroom with the bag.
"I pulled on the bag and saw the baby inside, very still," said the aunt.
Rocha's family was told that she was pregnant. Her boyfriend also recently purchased a crib and diapers. Police reported, however, that Rocha is not currently pregnant. She also allegedly acted alone.
Investigators also found a complete nursery set up in Rocha's residence. Police are investigating the incident as an attempted kidnapping. Rocha's lawyers have stated that she has symptoms of schizophrenia, but authorities have ruled out mental illness.
The condition of the newborn victim at the time of her rescue was not clear.
