A pregnant teenager in Brazil was brutally murdered after being lured into a woman’s home with the promise of free baby clothes. The attacker cut the unborn baby from the teen’s womb before strangling her, reports the New York Post.

Strangles mother to death in Brazil

The victim was a 16-year-old girl named Emilly Sena, and she was nine months pregnant when she was targeted by Nataly Pereira, 25, who had recently suffered a miscarriage.
Authorities discovered Sena’s body on Thursday, buried in the backyard of the home Pereira shared with her husband, Christian de Arruda, 28.

The heinous crime came to light when the couple attempted to register the stolen baby as their own at a hospital in Cuiabá, Brazil. Suspicious medical staff tested Pereira and found she had never been pregnant.

Pereira had a miscarriage six months earlier but didn’t tell her family. She pretended to be pregnant and came up with a cruel plan to steal a baby.
Pereira contacted Sena on WhatsApp, offering free baby clothes and even paying for her transport to the house.

“She said she had received a lot of baby clothes and wanted to donate some to Emilly,” the victim’s grieving mother, Ana Paula Meridiane, told local news outlet g1.
Once Sena arrived, the situation turned deadly. Police Chief Caio Alexandre revealed that the teen was brutally attacked, strangled, and later hanged with internet cables. T-shaped cuts on her abdomen indicated she was still alive when her unborn baby was cut from her womb with a bladed weapon. Sena desperately tried to fight back but succumbed to blood loss.

Caught in the act

Pereira and De Arruda were arrested at the hospital while trying to pass the baby off as their own. Despite initial suspicions that they had worked together, Pereira claimed she acted alone.
Her lawyers revealed she had suffered a previous miscarriage and continued pretending to be pregnant.

“This would be the second time she had had a miscarriage, and so she decided to maintain this false pregnancy,” they were quoted as saying to the New York Post.

Meanwhile, De Arruda insisted he had no idea about the murder, believing his wife had actually given birth. He had even shared a photo online, announcing he had just become a father.

Authorities are still investigating, with Brazil’s Homicide and Personal Protection Division questioning De Arruda and two other suspects.

“The investigation is still on site to find out the dynamics of what happened,” Alexandre said.

St. Louis, MO – Residents in the St. Louis metro area are urged to stay alert as a powerful storm system moves eastward, leaving behind a trail of intense weather conditions. As Friday transitions into Saturday, the most severe impacts are shifting away from the metro region, yet weather authorities caution residents to remain vigilant.

Severe Weather Details

A dangerous storm system swept through the St. Louis region on Friday evening, raising concerns about destructive winds and potential tornadoes. The National Weather Service (NWS) designated much of eastern Missouri and western Illinois under a Level 4 out of 5 severe weather risk. This elevated risk highlights the possibility of severe weather impacts and the need to stay prepared.

Current Alerts and Safety Precautions

The NWS issued multiple tornado warnings across the St. Louis area throughout Friday afternoon. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect for several counties in the bi-state region until 11 p.m. Friday. While a watch indicates favorable conditions for tornado formation, it does not confirm a tornado has occurred.

Important Reminder: If a Tornado Watch is upgraded to a Tornado Warning, it means rotation has been detected on radar or a tornado sighting has been reported. Residents should seek immediate shelter in such cases.

Expected Weather Conditions

The strongest storm threats in the St. Louis region are anticipated between 8-11 p.m. Friday. Forecasts predict wind gusts reaching up to 90 mph, with the potential for rapidly developing tornadoes. In addition, residents may experience hail, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms during this period.

Safety Recommendations

Meteorologists emphasize the importance of staying weather-aware, monitoring updates from trusted sources, and remaining near shelter throughout the evening. Potential storm damage may be widespread in affected areas, so take precautions to secure outdoor items and have an emergency kit ready.

The Russian ministry of defense announced on Thursday that it has regained control of Sudzha, the largest town in the Kursk region, from Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian troops had held the Kursk region since their surprise border offensive in August 2024.
This announcement comes one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the region and urged troops to “liberate” it quickly. “I am counting on the fact that all the combat tasks facing our units will be fulfilled, and the territory of the Kursk region will soon be completely liberated from the enemy,” Putin said in televised comments.
Putin’s visit appeared aimed at boosting morale as Russian forces advanced on the last remaining Ukrainian positions inside Russia, following peace talks between US and Ukrainian officials that resulted in Kyiv agreeing to a 30-day US-backed ceasefire covering the entire frontline.

The Russian advance in Kursk threatens Ukraine’s remaining territorial bargaining power at a key moment in the war when a ceasefire is being discussed.
On August 6, 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a major attack across the border, marking the largest foreign assault on Russia since World War II. The attack gave Ukraine its biggest battlefield gains since 2022, after months of setbacks. Russia quickly deployed reserve troops, and nearly 200,000 Russian civilians were forced to leave their homes.
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the next move is up to Russia, as US representatives were traveling to Russia to discuss the ceasefire. “We’re going to have to see. It’s up to Russia now,” Trump said during a press briefing, refusing to comment on whether he would meet with Putin.
Meanwhile, US negotiators have also been traveling to Russia to present the 30-day ceasefire plan. “Negotiators are flying in and indeed contacts are scheduled,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov spoke to US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz by phone the day before, he added.
Although the names of the US negotiators were not revealed, the White House had earlier said that Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has mediated in both the Gaza and Ukraine conflicts, would be in Moscow this week.
Russia has said it wants sanctions to be lifted as part of any agreement due to economic challenges.