Henry Borel case: who is Jairinho, former councilor accused of the boy's death

Former councilor Jairo Souza Santos Júnior, known as Dr. Jairinho, is named by the Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro as the main person responsible for the death of 4-year-old boy Henry Borel, in one of the most emblematic recent cases in the country.

A doctor by training and a career politician, Jairinho built a career in the Rio de Janeiro Legislature, where he was elected councilor for several consecutive terms. Son of a former state deputy, he held prominent positions in the City Council and was a political ally of municipal administrations.

The public image built over the years collapsed after Henry's death in March 2021. The boy was found dead after being taken to the hospital by his stepfather and mother, who initially claimed it was a domestic accident, a version discarded by investigations.

According to the investigations, the evidence indicates that the child was the victim of violent and repeated attacks, incompatible with an accidental fall. Reports indicated serious internal injuries, such as hemorrhage and organ rupture, concluding that Jairinho subjected the boy to a routine of torture, which ended in death.

In addition to the Henry case, statements gathered by the police indicated that the former councilor had already been accused of attacks against other children, children of former partners. Reports indicate episodes of physical violence and aggressive behavior, which reinforced the line of investigation into the accused's pattern of conduct.

Conversations analyzed by the police also revealed that people close to him, such as the child's nanny, had warned about the attacks before his death, which strengthened the thesis of continued violence.

Jairinho was arrested in April 2021, along with the child's mother, Monique Medeiros. Both were charged with qualified homicide and torture, in addition to other crimes related to the attempt to cover up the case.

In the same year, the politician had his mandate as councilor revoked for breach of parliamentary decorum, becoming the first in the history of the Rio Chamber to lose his position under these circumstances.

The case goes to trial in the Jury Court, where it will be up to the jurors to decide whether to convict or acquit the former parliamentarian.

The death of Henry Borel generated a strong national commotion and led to the creation of the so-called Henry Borel Law, which toughened punishments for crimes against children and expanded protection mechanisms in cases of domestic violence.

Henry Borel case: remember the murder of the boy who shocked the country

Source: CNN