Little Arthur de Mello, aged 11, did not survive and died on Thursday night, in Rio de Janeiro. He was hospitalized in serious condition, suspected of having been poisoned by “chumbinho” after consuming a piece of cake.
Earlier, the boy’s family had made a public outcry for the donation of platelets, in a desperate attempt to help the hospitalized child’s recovery.
Arthur had initially been sent to the Dr. Ricardo Cruz hospital, located in Nova Iguaçu, in Baixada Fluminense. He presented severe symptoms that immediately raised the suspicion of severe poisoning, and he has remained under intensive treatment since his admission.
The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police are conducting an in-depth investigation to clarify the exact circumstances of how Arthur ingested the chocolate cake, which is believed to have been contaminated. Agents are analyzing security camera recordings and collecting statements from family members to investigate the case, which raises concerns about the presence of the highly lethal poison known as chumbinho in food products.
