Faction leader arrested in RJ shopping mall receives house arrest to care for daughters in MT
Ingride Fontinelles Morais, arrested for drug trafficking and organized crime association, has been granted house arrest to care for her young children after her defense argued she is their only caregiver.
Ingride Fontinelles Morais was arrested in August 2025 in Rio de Janeiro for her involvement with criminal factions and drug trafficking. Recently, the court granted her a habeas corpus allowing her to serve her sentence under house arrest in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, on the grounds that she is the sole caregiver for her two young daughters, aged 5 and 2. The decision is aimed at facilitating her ability to care for the children, as her family support structure is largely unavailable due to various arrests and legal issues among the relatives.
The court's ruling outlines specific precautionary measures that Ingride must adhere to while on house arrest. These measures include electronic monitoring through a bracelet, mandatory monthly appearances in court to provide updates on her activities, and restrictions on changing her residence or leaving the designated area without permission. These precautions reflect the serious nature of her original charges while acknowledging her primary role as a mother and her children's dire need for maternal care.
This case highlights the broader societal issues surrounding the criminal justice system in Brazil, particularly the challenges faced by incarcerated individuals who are parents. As many are often removed from their children due to imprisonment, questions arise about the balance between public safety and the rights of parents to be involved in their children's upbringing. The court's decision, while controversial, illustrates an attempt to address these issues within the constraints of the law and societal expectations.