The tragic case of Giovanna dos Reis Costa, who was murdered in 2006, has seen new developments nearly two decades later, as authorities reopened the investigation following a tip-off from the suspect's ex-stepdaughter. On Thursday, Martônio Alves Batista, aged 55, was placed under preventive arrest in Londrina, Paraná, after allegations of sexual abuse were made against him. The ex-stepdaughter's testimony suggested that Martônio threatened her while exhibiting knowledge of Giovanna's murder, which has prompted renewed scrutiny of his potential involvement in the child’s death.

Giovanna was only nine years old when she disappeared from Quatro Barras, an area in the metropolitan region of Curitiba. Her body was discovered in a vacant lot, wrapped in plastic bags and tethered with electric wires, showing signs of sexual violence that shocked the community and raised significant concern about child safety in the region. The reopening of this cold case has reignited public interest and will likely spur additional investigation into unsolved murders of children that have occurred since.

Martônio's legal representatives have claimed they have not been granted access to the case files, emphasizing the importance of due process in the judicial system. They assert that under the principles of a democratic rule of law, every person accused has the right to a fair defense and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. This newly revitalized case brings forward questions not only about the specific circumstances surrounding Giovanna's death but also about the broader implications for justice in historical child murder cases and the handling of allegations of abuse in current investigations.