Grandmother Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Grandchildren With Cake — One Child Dead, Another Injured

A grandmother in Brazil has been arrested after allegedly baking a poisoned cake that left one of her grandchildren dead and another fighting for her life.

Authorities say 59-year-old Izabel Cardoso de Andrade prepared the dessert while her grandchildren were visiting her home in São Francisco, eastern Brazil, during the summer holidays.

On July 23, the children eagerly shared the treat, unaware of the danger hidden inside. Almost immediately after eating it, nine-year-old Alana dos Santos Cardoso Marques fell violently ill. Her 11-year-old sister, who had eaten a smaller portion, began showing milder but still worrying symptoms. Even the family cat which reportedly licked some of the cake collapsed and later died.

Both children suffered intense vomiting, stomach pain, and seizures. In a desperate attempt to save Alana, her grandparents called for help. A neighbor rushed the young girl to hospital, but she tragically went into cardiopulmonary arrest and died shortly after arriving. Her devastated sister was treated for poisoning and survived.

The unusual circumstances quickly raised suspicion. Police collected samples of the cake, along with evidence from the home, and toxicology tests revealed the presence of terbufos a pesticide so lethal it is banned in many countries. The chemical attacks the central nervous system, causing muscle weakness, convulsions, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, death.

Veterinary tests on the cat showed it had died of liver failure, likely due to ingesting the same toxic substance.

Nearly two months later, on September 19, Cardoso de Andrade was taken into custody. Investigators are now trying to determine how the pesticide ended up in the cake and whether the poisoning was deliberate or the result of a tragic mistake.

Her lawyer, Raphael Simões de Moraes Neto, said she has been fully cooperative, voluntarily allowing searches of her home and answering investigators’ questions. Police, however, have yet to establish a clear motive.

For now, the community of São Francisco remains in shock. What was supposed to be a joyful family gathering has instead turned into a nightmare with one young life lost, another child traumatized, and a grandmother facing serious criminal charges. The investigation remains ongoing.