37-year-old fraudster lived in a family disguised as a child for a year (PHOTO) | Brazil

In Brazil, a 37-year-old woman pretended to be a 12-year-old child who had fled abuse, living in a foster family for over a year. The court sentenced her to prison.

A Brazilian court sentenced 37-year-old Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, who for over a year posed as a 12-year-old child fleeing abusive parents. She appeared in a religious community in the city of Joinville under the false name Gabrielle, explaining her adult appearance by autism and other conditions. Locals surrounded her with care, provided housing, and later arranged guardianship. For 14 months, the woman maintained the illusion of childhood: using pacifiers, drinking from bottles, and simulating panic attacks. She was exposed when a relative of the foster family suspected something was wrong and reported it to the police. It turned out she had a prior conviction for fraud. In court, she pleaded guilty. Her lawyer called the deception a "survival mechanism" after two decades on the streets. The court sentenced her to one year, six months, and ten days in prison, considering time already served.