Mom Who Killed Boyfriend to Protect Daughter from Abuse Cleared of Murder

A Brazilian mother has been acquitted after admitting to killing her boyfriend, saying she acted to protect her young daughter from alleged abuse.

Erica Pereira da Silveria Vicente told authorities the incident happened in Minas Gerais after she discovered disturbing messages her partner, Everton Amaro de Silva, had sent to her 11-year-old daughter. Reports say she rushed home after hearing her child’s distress and intervened.

Prosecutors argued the act was premeditated, claiming she had earlier given him medication before attacking him. Investigators later traced evidence back to her home, where she also handed over the weapon used.

The mom allegedly spiked de Silva’s drink with Klonopin, a medication used to treat seizures, and then stabbed and clubbed him while he was unconscious, according to prosecutors.

A teen who heard screams helped the mom carry the body to wasteland in Belo Horizonte, where Vicente cut off the dead man’s genitals and set fire to his body, jurors were told.

Cops linked Vicente to the killing after following a trail of blood to her Belo Horizonte apartment and she handed over the knife.

She confessed to the killing, but insisted it was only to save her 11-year-old daughter.

After a short trial, the jury ruled in her favour, clearing her of all charges, including homicide. The judge upheld the decision, bringing the case to a close.

Vicente, who had already spent about a year in custody awaiting trial, has now been officially released.