Notícia

Henry Borel case: expert tells jury that boy died from beating

Por Equipe Editorial CifraNET · 29/05/2026

The fifth day of the trial of Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, Dr. Jairinho, and Monique Medeiros, is marked by the technical testimony of the criminal expert and Public Prosecutor's advisor, Luiz Carlos Prestes.

During the session held this Friday (29) at the II Rio de Janeiro Jury Court, the specialist stated that the boy Henry Borel suffered before he died, and described the process as "slow". According to Prestes' testimony, the technical evidence concludes that the death was caused by homicide by beating.

Remember: Jairinho's ex-girlfriend reports episodes of violence by the defendant

The expert detailed that the child arrived at the hospital lifeless, and that the resuscitation maneuvers carried out by the medical team for around 50 minutes followed protocols, but did not result in a response due to the severity of the condition.

Technical analysis identified that internal bleeding and liver laceration, caused by blunt action, were the determining causes of death.

Remember: Jairinho's ex-stepdaughter reports drownings and attacks on jury

Prestes highlighted that hospital cardiac massage could not have caused such damage to the liver, as it is performed in a different anatomical area. This thesis was defended by Jairinho's defense.

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Monique Medeiros cries after receiving provisional release in trial for her son's death - CNN Brasil

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Jairinho, Henry Borel's stepfather, on trial over child's death - CNN Brasil

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, on trial for her own son's death - CNN Brasil

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Jairinho, Henry Borel's stepfather, on trial over child's death - CNN Brasil

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, on trial for her own son's death - CNN Brasil

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Upon arrival at the Jury Court, Henry Borel's father, Leniel Borel, expressed a mix of gratitude, anxiety and a strong plea for justice. He highlighted that the trial is not just about his son's name, but about "how much Brazil is willing to protect its children" - Camille Barbosa - CNN Brasil

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Judge in trial of Monique Medeiros and Jairinho over the death of Henry Borel - CNN Brasil

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The Sentencing Council was defined at the beginning of the trial of Monique Medeiros and Dr. Jairinho in Rio de Janeiro - CNN

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Cristiano Medina, acts as a lawyer and assistant to the prosecution, representing the interests of Leniel Borel (father of the victim) - CNN Brasil

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The legal team seeks the defendant's acquittal, supporting the thesis that Monique was in an abusive relationship with Jairinho and that he had a profile of victimizing people like her - CNN Brasil

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The former councilor's lawyers deny the attacks and defend the thesis that the death was accidental - CNN Brasil

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Former Rio de Janeiro councilor and former doctor, Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, was the child's stepfather and is identified by investigations as the author of the physical attacks that caused Henry's death. - Reproduction

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel, is answering for the crime based on the relevant omission, because, according to the prosecution, she was aware of the torture suffered by her son and consented to the situation. - Jaqueline Frizon/CNN

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Hypothesis of accident is ruled out
The expert was emphatic in declaring that the domestic accident is "totally ruled out".

According to the testimony, a 4-year-old child has defense reflexes when falling and the injuries found on Henry's body - a total of 23 injuries identified by the IML - are incompatible with a fall from the bed.

The expert also indicated that death occurred between two and three hours before arrival at the health unit, based on the body temperature of 34ºC measured at the hospital and the cadaveric rigidity installed.

"This child must have cried and complained a lot until he passed out due to internal bleeding", said the expert when describing the victim's suffering.

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On the left Dr. Jairinho, on the right Monique Medeiros with her son Henry Borel - Arte/CNN

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Monique Medeiros at a hearing to hear witnesses in the process regarding the death of the boy Henry Borel - Photo: MARCOS PORTO/AGÊNCIA O DIA/AGÊNCIA O DIA/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO

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Monique Medeiros at a hearing to hear witnesses in the process regarding the death of the boy Henry Borel - Photo: MARCOS PORTO/AGÊNCIA O DIA/AGÊNCIA O DIA/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN

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Monique Medeiros, mother of Henry Borel and accused of omission in her son's death, installed an electronic ankle bracelet and was placed under house arrest, as established by the courts - CNN

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Arrest of former councilor Dr. Jairinho in the Henry Borel Case - ESTADÃO CONTÚDO

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Former councilor Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, known as Jairinho, in a hearing at the Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro, in the center of Rio de Janeiro - Photo: PAULO CARNEIRO/PHOTOPRESS/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO

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Dr. Jairinho, boyfriend of Monique Medeiros da Costa e Silva, mother of the boy Henry Borel, after giving a statement about the death of the 4-year-old boy - Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil

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Dynamics of the trial
The defendants face triple homicide, torture, coercion during the process and procedural fraud.

The accusation maintains that Jairinho carried out the attacks, while Monique Medeiros omitted to preserve the relationship with the then councilor.

The trial, presided over by judge Elizabeth Machado Louro, is expected to last between seven and ten days.

Find out what the first day of the Henry Borel case trial was like | CNN NEW DAY

If the jurors decide to convict with a sentence of more than 15 years, the Court may order the immediate arrest of the defendants while still in plenary.

Source: CNN