Girl, 4, crushed to death by falling dresser during birthday celebration at school in front of twin
A four-year-old girl has died in front of her twin after a dresser fell on her during her birthday celebration at her school.
The family of Alice Brasil Souza da Paz said they learnt from third parties about the accident that caused the girl’s death at the Kennedy Unit of Colégio CEV, in Teresina, Brazil, on Tuesday (August 5).
Alice had celebrated her birthday on Monday (August 4) and the following morning celebrated again with her twin brother, Arthur, and classmates who study at the same unit, reported local press.
Alice’s father, Claudio Sousa, said the family had heard conflicting explanations and initially were told a toy had fallen on her. Her funeral was held the day after the accident, on her father’s birthday.
“Alice was a beautiful, smart and loving four-year-old princess. This past Tuesday, we arrived with our daughter alive and healthy in the morning to celebrate with her school friends her birthday and her brother’s birthday. After the celebration, we said goodbye to our children and went to work.
“A few hours later, we were called and received the news that she had died at school. First, they said that a toy had fallen on our daughter and then they changed the versions. We have not received any concrete explanations to this day. No father or mother should ever have to go through this,” Alice’s father said.
He added: “My gift was to bury my daughter. We lost our daughter in the place where she should have been safe and protected. We don’t want revenge. We want justice so that no other child goes through what our Alice went through.
“How am I supposed to explain to a four-year-old that his sister, who shared everything with him since the womb of my beloved wife, is gone? He saw it all, witnessing a scene no child or person should ever have to see.”
Alice’s mother, Dayana Brasil, said: “This past Tuesday, we arrived in the morning with our daughter, alive and healthy, to celebrate with her school friends the birthday she shared with her brother. After the celebration, we said goodbye to our children and went to work. A few hours later, we were called and received the news that she had died at school.”
Police say the accident happened in the school playroom after another child crawled under a dressing table, causing it to topple onto Alice, who was lying nearby. Arthur witnessed the incident. The school has said it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
According to reports, the school has suspended all activities for the week, released a statement offering condolences, and said psychological support is being provided to families, staff, and the wider community.
The case is being investigated by the Child and Adolescent Protection Unit, led by Chief Hugo Alcantara.