A court in the Maranhão state of Brazil has ordered the provisional detention of a 15-year-old girl who is suspected of killing Ellen Sofia Mendes dos Santos, a 2-year-old infant. The detention is set for a duration of 45 days, during which the authorities will further investigate the circumstances surrounding the child's death.

The investigation has revealed discrepancies in the teenager's account of events. Initially, she claimed to have fallen asleep while caring for Ellen, potentially leading to suffocation, but her multiple versions of the incident raised suspicions. In particular, the presence of injuries on Ellen’s 3-year-old sister, who was also in the teenager's care, has complicated the investigation and spurred actions from the Public Ministry of Maranhão.

The tragic demise of Ellen Sofia has shocked the local community, highlighting issues related to youth care and supervision. The case underscores the responsibility that young guardians hold and the implications of their actions, as well as the need for protective measures for vulnerable children under their care. The legal proceedings will likely delve deeper into the circumstances that led to this devastating incident in Penalva.