Paula Ellen Neves da Silva was pretending to sleep when she saw her boyfriend attempting to undo her three-year-old son's diaper.

The 24-year-old mother killed and decapitated Daniel dos Santos, 32, in their shared apartment in Itaquaquecetuba, Brazil.

The couple had spent the evening consuming alcohol and drugs with a friend in the apartment where Neves da Silva lived with her two children, aged three and six.

The friend left approximately 90 minutes before the murder occurred.

What Happened Next

After killing dos Santos, Neves da Silva allegedly sent photos and videos of the body to her family.

She dragged his body into the bathroom.

The victim's head was found inside a backpack.

The Confession

Neves da Silva confessed to the crime, stating she caught her boyfriend attempting to abuse her three-year-old son.

Her defense claims the act was an instinctive reaction to protect her family.

Community Impact

The case sparked debates on social media about the lengths a mother might go to protect her children, with some expressing sympathy for Neves da Silva's actions.

Local authorities have been urged to enhance child protection measures in response to the incident.

Neves da Silva was arrested and charged with murder in connection with dos Santos' death.