Authorities in northeastern Brazil have reportedly detained a woman allegedly caught on security footage trying to steal a newborn baby from a hospital where she worked.
Auricelia de Sousa Rocha, a nurse technician at the Dona Evangelina Rosa Maternity Hospital in Teresina, Piauí, has been detained in connection with the alleged kidnapping attempt, local outlets portalg1, Gazeta Brasil and Diário do Pará reported, citing authorities.
The alleged incident took place on July 6, according to Gazeta Brasil and O Tempo. The woman was not working a shift at the time of the alleged attempt, portalg1 and Folha De S. Paolo reported.
Security footage shared online by portalg1, Gazeta Brasil and Diário do Pará show a woman in scrubs, cap and a mask moving through a hospital corridor with a large bag. In one instance, the woman is seen carrying an infant in a red blanket alongside the bag.
The baby’s aunt alleged Rocha posed as a nurse and offered to help with tests before taking the newborn and putting her inside a bag, Gazeta Brasil, O Tempo and Folha De S. Paolo reported.
The child’s aunt said she watched Rocha take the baby to a room in the maternity ward, but a short time later, she emerged without the baby and with a large bag, Folha De S. Paolo reported.
“She already had that big, black bag over her shoulder, and although I had already handed the baby over, I had a bad feeling about it,” the aunt told local media, according to De Telegraaf.
Rocha then allegedly changed out of hospital clothing and went to the bathroom with the bag.
“I pulled on the bag and saw the baby inside, very still,” the aunt said.
The condition of the child at the time of the rescue was not immediately clear.
Rocha’s family say they were told she was pregnant, Folha De S. Paolo, O Tempo, portalg1 and Gazeta Brazil. Her boyfriend had gotten a crib and diapers in anticipation for the baby, but police say she is not currently pregnant, according to Gazeta Brazil. Rocha allegedly acted alone, police said.
Investigators found a fully-done nursery in her residence as well, the outlets reported.
The case is being investigated as an attempted kidnapping, according to Folha De S. Paolo, O Tempo, Diário do Pará and portalg1.
Rocha’s lawyers say she has schizophrenic symptoms, but authorities have ruled out mental illness, Gazeta Brazil and Diário do Pará reported.
PEOPLE has reached out to the prosecuting agency and the hospital for comments.

source:https://people.com/nurse-allegedly-on-video-stealing-baby-12019669