Woman who poisoned children with Easter eggs in Maranhão is sentenced to 66 years in prison
A woman was sentenced to 66 years in prison in a closed regime, in the early hours of this Tuesday (23), by the Maranhão Court. Jordélia Pereira Barbosa is accused of poisoning two children in Imperatriz (MA), who died after consuming an Easter egg sent by her.
The fatal victims were Luiz Fernando Rocha Silva, aged 7, and Evillyn Fernanda Rocha Silva, aged 13, who did not survive ingesting the sweets. The mother, Mírian Lira, was also admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but managed to recover from what happened in April last year.
Analysis of the chocolate revealed the presence of “chumbinho”, a powerful pesticide banned and clandestine in Brazil, generally used to exterminate rodents. According to the complaint presented, Jordélia used a motorcycle taxi driver to deliver the candy to Mírian’s residence.
The Public Ministry of Maranhão (MPMA) indicated that the motivation for the act was jealousy and a desire for revenge, since Jordélia had been the girlfriend of Mírian’s partner. The events unfolded in April 2025, in the city of Imperatriz.
The court decision imposed immediate compliance with the sentence, maintaining the convict’s preventive detention and rejecting her request for an appeal in freedom. Furthermore, compensation for moral damages of 100 minimum wages was established for Mírian Lira Rocha and 400 minimum wages for the parents of the deceased children.
Details of the investigation and poisoning plan
The criminal action was proposed by the Public Ministry of Maranhão (MPMA) and accepted by the 3rd Criminal Court of Imperatriz. The 8th Public Prosecutor’s Office of Imperatriz, under the responsibility of prosecutor Tiago Quintanilha Nogueira, conducted the prosecution. The investigations revealed that Jordélia sent the chocolates with the toxic substance to members of Mírian Lira Rocha’s family.
Police investigations concluded that the crime was carefully premeditated. Jordélia took a trip from Santa Inês to Imperatriz, checked in at a hotel using a false name and, later, hired a motorcycle courier to deliver the gift. The Easter eggs were delivered along with a message that said: “With love to Mirian Lira. Happy Easter!!!”.
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At the time of her arrest in Santa Inês, the police located items such as wigs, traces of chocolate stored in thermal bags and a bus ticket with Jordélia Pereira.
Qualifiers recognized in the trial of the accused
During the trial, the jurors attested that Jordélia attempted qualified murder against Mírian, motivated by turpitude, using poison and with dissimulation. The decision highlighted that the victim’s life was saved due to the prompt medical care received.
As for the two children, the jury confirmed the crime of double homicide. The qualifiers considered were foul motive, the use of poison, concealment in the act and the condition of the victims, both under 14 years of age.
Throughout the investigative process, the Court assessed that there was no evidence to indicate that Jordélia Pereira was incapable of answering for her actions. She faced charges of double murder and attempted murder.
In her statement, Jordélia confessed to having purchased the chocolate egg and sending it to Míriam Lira, one of the people affected, however, she denied poisoning the sweet, seeking to attribute responsibility to other people. This justification, however, was considered unfounded by the Court.
