On Tuesday, Brazil’s ambassador, Raimundo Carreiro Silva, requested information from Portugal’s Minister of Internal Administration and Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation regarding the “assault case involving a young Brazilian student,” who lost the tips of two fingers on the 10th.
In response on Wednesday, Fernando Alexandre informed the embassy that “the Inspectorate-General of Education and Science has ordered an inquiry, ensuring that all facts will be thoroughly investigated, with protection and the safeguarding of the interests of all involved, particularly the victim and their family.”
“Minister Fernando Alexandre emphasized the commitment of public schools to the safety, well-being, and integrity of all its students,” added the Brazilian Embassy in a statement released today.
On the 15th, a source from the Ministry of Education stated that “the Inspectorate-General of Education and Science initiated an investigation into the incident at the request of the Director-General of School Establishments.”
The day before, Carlos Silveira, director of the Souselo School Group in Cinfães, Viseu district, had informed the news agency Lusa about the initiation of an internal inquiry “to ascertain the facts.”
The situation was brought to light by Nivia Estevam, who identifies herself on Instagram as “the mother of the 9-year-old child who had the tips of his fingers amputated inside a school in Portugal,” in the municipality of Cinfães.
“Two children closed the door on my son’s fingers” when he went to the bathroom, preventing him “from leaving and asking for help,” Nivia Estevam recounted in one post, adding that the boy “lost a lot of blood and had to crawl under the door with his fingers already amputated.”
The boy underwent a three-hour surgery at São João Hospital in Porto and will have “physical and psychological scars,” she stated, seeking legal assistance for the difficult situation.
According to Nivia Estevam, the incident on the 10th occurred after she had filed other complaints about “hair-pulling, kicking, and choking,” with “no action taken by the school.”
Carlos Silveira declined to provide further details due to the ongoing internal inquiry but assured that “help was immediately summoned” and the school followed appropriate procedures.
Nivia Estevam’s plea for help was heard, and a group of lawyers is now handling the case.
