A 39-year-old pastor has been arrested in Brazil on charges of raping children and adolescents. The exact number of victims is not yet known, but the alleged acts took place at the Lagoinha church in the city of Guarulhos, in the state of São Paulo.
According to information from the Civil Police reported by G1, the pastor identified as Joilson da Silva de Freitas Santos was responsible for caring for the children and adolescents of the church. It was customary for him to receive them at his home, where he lived with his wife and their newborn.
On June 1st, a 16-year-old teenager escaped from the pastor s house and sought help, claiming to be a victim of rape by the clergyman. The police opened an investigation and contacted other victims, including a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old, who provided details of the alleged sexual assaults committed by De Freitas Santos.
Even the pastor s wife testified before the authorities, stating that she sometimes heard sexual acts but never said anything as she depended financially on her husband.
During the arrest, law enforcement seized a mattress, a passport, a cell phone, a computer, and a tablet. All this material will undergo a thorough analysis as part of the investigation.
This shocking case highlights the seriousness of the allegations against the pastor and underscores the need to protect children and adolescents from abuse within religious institutions.
