Teenage Aunt ‘To Blame’ After Lad’s Fatal Fall Through Open Window

This four-year-old lad has died after falling out of an open window and plunging four floors in Brazil.

Heitor Gabriel dos Santos Ferreira poses in an undated photo. He fell from fourth floor window in Bangu, West Zone of Rio in Brazil. (Newsflash)

Tragic Heitor Gabriel dos Santos Ferreira fell to his death from his aunt’s apartment in the Bangu neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro at 4am on 21st March.

The aunt – 18-year-old Marcelle dos Santos Vicente – said she had left the living room window open because of the heat.

After putting her little nephew to bed, she went to sleep but was woken up by her neighbours after the fall.

The victim’s mum, Renata dos Santos Ferreira, was at home when she was delivered the devastating news.

Renata, a cleaner with four other children, arrived at Albert Schweitzer Municipal Hospital, where Heitor had been taken, shortly after 10am.

The hospital confirmed the lad had been admitted but had not survived his injuries.

Vicente is expected to be charged with manslaughter, according to the police, and faces up to three years in prison.

Heitor Gabriel dos Santos Ferreira poses in an undated photo. He fell from fourth floor window in Bangu, West Zone of Rio in Brazil. (Newsflash)

However, judges may decide that her nephew’s death is punishment enough and choose not to impose further sanctions.

Investigators believe Heitor climbed onto a sofa beneath the open window before losing his balance and falling through it.

The Civil Police now want to know if there was anyone else in the flat at the time of the fall.

Investigators already know a man was present hours before the accident. He has been identified and is expected to be summoned to testify in the coming days.

One of Heitor’s siblings, Sara Ferreira, wrote online: “My mother is devastated, I am devastated, everyone who knows and loves my brother is sad and empathising with our pain.

“At this moment, I only ask for prayers. May God be able to comfort our hearts, and I am grateful for every message of support.

“No matter what I do, neither my pleas nor if I kneel down on the ground will bring my brother back.”

Heitor Gabriel dos Santos Ferreira poses in an undated photo. He fell from fourth floor window in Bangu, West Zone of Rio in Brazil. (Newsflash)

She added: “Knowing that I saw him and couldn’t say goodbye. Knowing that he won’t have the life I imagined for him. He was only four years old.

“I will love you forever, Heitor Gabriel.”