5-year-old autistic child is found dead in a biodigester in the Curitiba region By Carolina Costa
3 min read
 |
The body of João Gabriel Ferreira dos Santos, a 5-year-old autistic boy, was found on July 28 on a rural property in Araucária, in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. The child was in a puddle about two meters deep, formed on the canvas of a biodigester, approximately 70 meters from the residence where he lived with his family.
The disappearance of the non-verbal boy
João Gabriel, who is non-verbal autistic, had disappeared on July 26 after informing his mother that he was going to the bathroom, located outside the house. Concerned about his prolonged absence, his family began searching and, after about an hour without finding him, they called the authorities. The property is a farm where the boy’s family works and lives.
The structure of the biodigester and its potential risks
- Function:Treatment of domestic sewage and production of biogas and biofertilizer from organic waste.
- Location:Generally in rural areas, close to animal farms.
- Risks:The formation of puddles in perforated tarpaulins or the lack of adequate sealing pose a significant danger, especially to children, due to the depth and contamination of the water.
The action of the firefighters and the discovery of the body
The Public Security Secretariat of Paraná (SESP-PR) reported that the Fire Department found the boy while emptying the biodigester. “Firefighters were emptying areas with water accumulation, with the support of the farm owner’s truck, when they found the body in a biodigester located about 70 meters from the residence”, detailed the secretariat.
Major Eduardo Hunzicker, from the Fire Department, explained that the canvas covering the biodigester, which is normally inflated by gases, was punctured. This caused the accumulation of contaminated water. “It was a location that we had already plotted in our georeferencing. It was a canvas that had been punctured and, underneath it, there was animal feces. So the water was completely contaminated, making diving impossible,” said the major. According to him, there was an open space in the area’s enclosure, which may have allowed the child access.
Civil Police are awaiting a report to clarify the causes of death
After locating the body, the Scientific Police carried out an examination at the scene and sent the remains for autopsy examinations. The Paraná Civil Police (PCPR) awaits the conclusion and forwarding of the report. This document will be essential in pointing out the circumstances in which the body was found, allowing for in-depth analysis and the continuation of investigations into the case.
Intense mobilization in the search for the boy
Since the disappearance alert, a large task force has been mobilized to find João Gabriel. The Military Police (PM), the Municipal Guard, the Fire Department and several volunteers participated in the searches. The area where the child disappeared is characterized by dense forest, the presence of water tanks and a septic tank. For this reason, the teams used resources such as helicopters, drones with thermal cameras, aquatic scanners and sniffer dogs to assist in the work.
