The forensic examination revealed soil in the girl's windpipe, indicating she was still breathing when buried, and head trauma consistent with blunt object assaults. The body, believed to have been buried for about 20 days, was discovered on October 14. The exact date of her death remains unclear.
Authorities said the girl's paternal grandfather reported her missing to child services in early October, and the case was referred to police on October 8. Child Protective Services said they had been monitoring the family after the stepfather made threats months earlier but had lost contact with the mother since August. The specific threats that led to monitoring have not been detailed.
Lead investigator Franco Augusto said both stepfather Rodrigo Ribeiro Machado and mother Luiza Aguirre Barbosa da Silva are accused of physically and psychologically abusing the girl. Police also uncovered an audio message in which Machado told the girl's father that his daughter was dead and to stop contacting him.
Police say Machado has a criminal record and is linked to the PCC gang, known as 'ruthless brother'. The nature of his record has not been disclosed. The couple face charges of murder with aggravating factors and concealment of a body, and are due back in court on May 19.