4-Year-Old Girl Tragically Dies During Birthday Party at School
The parents of a young girl in the Brazilian city of Teresina have expressed their grief and rage, promising to find out the whole truth about how she died at school.
On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, a 4-year-old girl was hit by a dressing table inside the Kennedy Unit of CEV School in Teresina, Piauí, and she died as a result.
Alice Brasil Souza de Paz, the victim, had thrown a small party at school that morning with her twin brother and classmates to celebrate her birthday the day before.
The tragedy occurred in the school’s playroom when five children and two early childhood education staff members were waiting for afternoon activities or for their guardians to come, according to the Piauí Civil Police.
Another child crawled beneath the dressing table as Alice was resting on the floor. The furniture toppled over as she stood up, landing on her.
According to the school, one teacher took Alice to the infirmary while another pulled out the furnishings. When a nurse saw how bad the situation was, she started administering first aid and contacted SAMU, the emergency medical service.
Staff took Alice to the closest health post as instructed by SAMU, but they stopped en route to meet an ambulance. Her parents quickly arrived once the family was notified of the location.
In a news conference, Alice’s father, Army Major Claudio Sousa, stated: “Alice was a lovely, intelligent, and loving 4-year-old princess. In order to celebrate her and her brother’s birthdays with their classmates, we brought our daughter to school this past Tuesday morning, healthy and alive. We bid our kids farewell after the celebration and headed to work.
We received a call a few hours later informing us that she had passed away at school. They altered the story after initially claiming that a toy had fallen on her. To this day, we have yet to receive a comprehensive explanation. “This should never happen to any parent,” he continued.
“My birthday was yesterday,” the father said, describing the agony of the day. I buried my daughter as a gift. I had to bury my 4-year-old daughter on the day I was meant to celebrate another year of life. (…) It turned into the worst day of our lives, one that we will always remember. I received a coffin containing my daughter’s body as a birthday present.
The family claims that before Alice was brought for medical attention, her twin brother observed “a lot of blood coming from her nose” after the accident.
“When it occurred, he was with her. He witnessed everything. The father disclosed, “How do I explain to a 4-year-old boy that his sister, who has told him everything since they were in their mother’s womb… he saw it all, witnessing something no child or person should ever see.”
The interview was livestreamed on social media by her mother, photographer Dayana Brasil. “I want to know how it happened, how it all began,” she said. After everything occurred, I would like to know what was done for her at the school. Since my son saw everything, I would like to know what was done for him. I’d also like to know how she got out of school. I still don’t know, thus I have every right to know.”
“CEV School reaffirms its full commitment to truth, transparency, and care for people,” the school said in a statement indicating its cooperation with authorities. Our top concern right now is providing our staff, kids’ families, and the entire school community with consolation, psychological support, and careful communication.”
“We completely cooperate with the ongoing investigations and are available to the appropriate authorities, with the assurance that forensic analysis will adequately clarify the facts. “We continue to be available, attentive, and present during this time of loss and mourning,” the statement said.
“There are no words that can lessen the pain and suffering being experienced, but we recognize the fragility of human life and that, no matter how strict our care may be, we are still subject to invisible risks or those of remote probability,” the CEV Educational Group said in a separate statement.
The inquiry, which has a 30-day deadline, is being led by the Child and Adolescent Protection Police Unit (DPCA). Additionally, an administrative procedure has been launched by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The school intends to resume lessons on Monday, August 11, after suspending them for the week.
Alice’s parents publicly shared their sorrow on social media in the days after the tragedy. They commemorated their daughter together on Instagram on August 13.
“We lived every moment to the fullest with our angel, Alice Brasili,” they wrote. “Migalice” will endure in our hearts forever. ‘Daddy, did you know that Jesus protects us from harm, did you know?’ she used to remark. We depend on His blessings and protection to carry on from here, my darling.
“I want to express my profound gratitude to everyone who has helped us during this unbearable time on behalf of the family. Alice will always be remembered. “THIS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT!” was the post’s conclusion.
Three days after the tragedy occurred, on August 8, Dayana posted another poignant statement on Instagram. The globe continued to turn on August 5, 2025, but mine stopped,” she said. Not only did I lose a piece of myself, but I completely lost myself.
“You took my hopes, my fortitude, and my capacity for joy with you… And here I am, gazing back, hoping to see the little girl who once ran free, unaware that she would soon soar far from me. The distraught mother wrote, “My daughter, you are and always will be the most beautiful part of me.”
A picture from the family’s July 2025 trip was included with the message.
When observers observed Major Claudio in Jardim da Ressurreição Cemetery in the eastern zone of Teresina on August 10, Father’s Day in Brazil, the sorrow was equally evident.
He spent hours sitting next to his daughter’s grave, surrounded by flowers and covered by a green umbrella, according to a story by Portal Info Newss. The sequence, which was characterized as extremely poignant, captured the intensity of a father’s loss and their enduring relationship.
While friends, relatives, and the school community continue to deal with the aftermath of the young girl’s death, the case is still being investigated.
