Boy, 2, dies after dad allegedly spends child’s medical funds on parties, drugs, women

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A 2-year-old boy lost his life after his father allegedly used money for the treatment of his medical condition on drugs, parties and hookers.

João Miguel Alves died in his home in Brazil after losing his battle with spinal muscular atrophy last Oct. 17, as per Daily Mail on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder that involves the weakening of muscles used for movement.

The baby was diagnosed with the disease when he was only 7 months old. However, Spinraza, the medication needed to prevent the sickness from advancing, cost $90,500 (P4.6 million) per dose.

Because of the large amount needed for the drug, his parents, Mateus Henrique Leroy Alves and Karine Rodrigues, asked for donations to help them defray the cost of medication. The parents started a campaign for little João on the crowdfunding site Vakinha in 2018.

The couple was able to raise $248,000 (P12.7 million) after almost a year from the launching of the campaign. As per report, part of the money raised came from a marathon held in the family’s hometown of Conselheiro Lafaiete.

Things started to take a turn for the worse in May when the father left his family for a job, as per Brazilian news outlet Pleno via Daily Mail. Mateus told Rodrigues that he was going to Belo Horizonte to train as a security guard.

In the father’s absence, Rodrigues became suspicious when she saw withdrawals of large amounts and bank transfers from two of the four accounts where they kept the money for their sick child. The wife then filed a report with the police on July 8, which later led to Mateus’ arrest on July 22 at a hotel in Salvador.

He supposedly stayed in the hotel for two months and spent $150,000 (P7.6 million) on designer items, drugs and prostitutes. Upon his arrest, Mateus claimed to be a victim of extortion.

Mateus was charged with larceny and material neglect of his family, as reported by The Sun on Oct. 23. Police added that he is currently detained and awaiting sentencing scheduled for next month.  Ryan Arcadio /ra

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