Couple who proposed R$30,000 for 'surrogacy' are convicted of human trafficking in SC

Couple is convicted of human trafficking in case involving R$30,000 proposal for pregnancy — Photo: Adobe Stock

A couple was sentenced to 6 years, 2 months and 20 days in prison, in an initial closed regime, for the crime of human trafficking for the purpose of illegally adopting a baby. The case occurred in Alto Vale do Itajaí, in Santa Catarina.

The decision was released by the State Public Ministry on Friday (16). The city in which the incident occurred and the names of the defendants were not disclosed to protect the victim's identity.

The Judiciary recognized that the defendants exploited the mother's vulnerability to keep the baby without going through the legal adoption procedures.

The child, who was between seven and eight months old at the time of the crime, was located in the couple's home during a police search.

There were no documents for the baby at the scene. At the residence, police also seized ten cell phones and four computers.

Mother reported adoption proposal

During the process, the mother reported that she met the defendant in a shelter where one of her daughters was staying.

At the time, the woman offered to help take care of the baby on weekends and on some weekdays. The mother accepted the help, but refused an adoption proposal made by the defendant.

According to the report to the Court, the woman also asked for the child's birth certificate and vaccination card, which caused discomfort for the mother.

For the Court, the evidence in the case indicates that the condemned woman's actions went beyond occasional help and had the objective of establishing a bond with the baby outside the legal adoption procedures.

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Proposal of R$30,000 per pregnancy

Testimonies collected in the process also pointed to a proposal for paid pregnancy, popularly known as "surrogacy".

According to the mother, the defendant offered to pay the monthly expenses and give R$30,000 at the end of the pregnancy so that she could have a child for the couple.

The insemination procedure would be carried out at home by the pregnant woman herself, without medical supervision.

Social workers also reported suspicions of negotiations for the mother and her other daughter, who was sheltered, to act as "surrogates" for the defendants.

Sentences maintained after appeal

When judging the defense appeals, the Court of Justice upheld the couple's conviction for human trafficking, but recalculated the sentences.

Each defendant was sentenced to 6 years, 2 months and 20 days in prison, in an initial closed regime, in addition to paying a 14-day fine. Each fine day is equivalent to one-thirtieth of the minimum wage at the time of the crime.

The MPSC reported that the defendants are responding to other lawsuits, which remain ongoing.

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