Woman sentenced to 66 years in prison for killing two children with poisoned easter eggs
A woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars after inadvertently and fatally poisoning two kids with chocolate.
Per US Sun, 35-year-old Jordelia Pereira Barbosa, from Brazil, sent a tray of Easter eggs to her ex-husband's wife at their family address in the city of Imperatriz, with the intention of disturbing her.
The sweets were laced with the illegal rodenticide Chumbinho, which is sold on the Brazilian black market and has accidentally claimed many human lives over the years.
Even just a measly amount ingested can cause rapid organ failure, respiratory distress and death within a few hours.
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13-year-old Evillyn Fernanda Rocha Silva and her seven-year-old brother, Luiz, each took a bite of the tainted chocolate back in April 2025 - the so-called treats came with a note that read: 'With love, to Miriam Lira. Happy Easter!!'
Jordelia was reportedly unhappy with the way her marriage to their father had dissolved and sought out revenge.
Even though Miriam consumed the Easter egg as well, she survived, while her young son passed away from a cardiac arrest at the Imperatriz Municipal Hospital.
Then came the double devastation of Evillyn's death five days later. The cause was ruled as vascular shock linked the multiple organ failure.
In the subsequent court hearings, it was revealed that the killer travelled from Santa Inês to Imperatriz, where she used a fake identity to check into a hotel before hiring a courier to deliver the edibles.
She later stopped by a chocolate shop wearing a wig, hoping to slip under the radar.
When she was apprehended by police officers, it's said that they found two wigs, chocolate remnants and a bus ticket in her possession.
Naiza Santos, who is Evillyn and Luis' auntie, told local news outlet G1 that the latter initially told his mum he was feeling 'weak' after nibbling the chocolate, but no action was taken.
"She said she thought it was a joke and didn't take it seriously," she recounted.
"But then she looked at him and saw that he was already fainting. That's when she ran to her mother's house asking for help."
Luis then threw up a yellowy discharge after a family member stuck their finger down his throat. His father then performed CPR on him to no avail.
Naiza went on to add: "When the egg arrived, there was no identification of who had sent it, just the note, and they didn't say who it was from.
"[Miriam] only received the call, the voice was of a woman, asking if she had received [the Easter egg]. She said, 'Yes, I did. Who is it?'"
Jordelia, who is now serving close to 67 years in prison, allegedly replied: "You'll find out who it is..." before hanging up the phone.
Topics: Crime
Dan Seddon