Doctor Augusto Henrique dos Santos Moraes, 63 years old, was arrested this Thursday (24) on suspicion of sexually violating a group of teenagers at a Family Health Unit (USF), in Vila Velha, Greater Vitória.
According to the police report, one of the students, aged 17, reported having been touched on her breasts and other parts of her body during a consultation, while the others were the target of sexual comments made by the same professional.
The teenagers went to the unit to take physical fitness exams related to the Games on the Network program, run by the State Department of Education (Sedu-ES).
According to the teenager's report, while her friends were attended to by nurses and came to the office just to deliver the report, she was inappropriately touched on her breasts and other parts of her body during medical care.
In an interview with TV Gazeta, the young woman's mother said that she was at home when she received a call from the school coordinator, asking her to come to the institution because something had happened to her daughter.
Upon learning that her daughter had gone to the health unit to undergo exams required to participate in school games, the mother questioned whether the teenagers were accompanied by a school professional, but was informed that they had gone alone.
"He [the coordinator] said that, over 12 years of age, according to the Child and Adolescent Statute, they can choose to go alone or with someone. I didn't understand why. He turned to me and said that my daughter had been seduced by the doctor. When I saw my daughter, she was in tears and confirmed that the doctor had rubbed her breasts with his hands and apparently he had said some barbaric things to the other students", he reported.
According to the mother, after finding her daughter, she went to the health unit and looked for the doctor's office. At the time, the suspect was helping a couple, who, according to the woman's report, had reacted to her and the teenager's presence.
"This couple unfortunately went against me. They attacked my daughter and pushed us out of the office. They stayed inside with the doctor", he said.
The mother also said that she was informed by the health unit coordinator that the doctor could not touch the teenager and that only nurses were authorized to carry out that procedure.
"I asked the director: what nonsense is this that teenagers, during class time, without their parents' permission, go to the doctor? We think they are at school, and they hand these teenagers into the hands of wolves. They didn't report anything to me, I didn't sign anything releasing it", he said.
The Municipal Guard was called after the incident. Later, a Military Police team arrived at the scene to provide support. The doctor was taken to the Vila Velha Regional Police Station, where he was charged with sexual rape through fraud and sent to prison.
Doctor Augusto Henrique's lawyer, who is also his wife, preferred not to comment on the case.
The names of the school and the neighborhood where the teaching unit is located are not being disclosed to preserve the identity of minors, as provided for in the Child and Adolescent Statute (Ecriad).
In a note, the Vila Velha Health Department reported that, upon learning of the episode, the health unit coordinator pressed the panic button and the Vila Velha Municipal Guard was called.
Furthermore, the department stressed that it reported the case to the Federal Government's Mais Médicos program, of which the professional is part, and preventively suspended the doctor's schedules in the municipal network. "The Secretariat is now awaiting the conclusion of the police investigation."
When asked about the physical fitness exams required to participate in the Games on the Network, the Department of Education (Sedu) informed that students can only participate in the competition with the authorization of their parents or guardians.
According to the ministry, the authorization document also expressly informs the need to present a medical report to participate in sporting activities.
"In this way, families receive prior guidance on the procedures and requirements necessary for students to participate in the competition. In the case in question, the physical fitness exam was carried out outside class hours. Upon becoming aware of the reported situation, the school unit adopted the appropriate measures and remains at the disposal of the competent authorities to collaborate with the necessary clarifications", informed Sedu.
The Civil Police, the Military Police and the Regional Council of Medicine of Espírito Santo (CRM-ES) were also contacted by the report for more details, but until the last update of this report they had not taken a position.
