Police in Pernambuco, Brazil, have launched a homicide investigation following the tragic death of a four-month-old infant, Miguel Angelo Barbosa, after a hospital staff member mistakenly administered milk through his intravenous (IV) line instead of his feeding tube.
The incident occurred in the early hours of October 20, 2026, at the Hospital Memorial de Goiana in northeastern Brazil, where the infant had been receiving treatment for bronchiolitis since October 11.
According to family members, Miguel’s health had significantly improved, and he was expected to be discharged shortly.
Family recounts fatal medical error
The baby’s paternal aunt, Meyre Gabriela da Silva, who was staying with him while his mother recovered from emergency surgery, recounted that she briefly stepped out of the room around 4:00 AM while Miguel was sleeping.
Upon returning, she found the infant crying intensely before quickly becoming unresponsive.
When she turned on the light to check on him, she discovered that the milk line had been connected to the IV catheter in his neck rather than his nasal feeding tube.
Meyre noted that the two tubes were distinctly different in appearance and located on opposite sides of the child’s body.
The family further alleged that when confronted by an attending doctor, the healthcare worker acknowledged making the error but claimed the feeding tube pump was off—a claim the family strongly disputes.
Homicide probe launched as hospital responds
Medical personnel spent over an hour attempting resuscitation, but the infant was pronounced dead at the scene.
Miguel’s father, Jose Marcio, accused the worker involved of leaving the hospital before her shift ended, demanding full legal accountability and prosecution for those responsible.
Following a forensic examination by the Institute of Legal Medicine, Miguel was buried on October 22.
The Hospital Memorial de Goiana issued a statement expressing condolences to the family, confirming that the staff member involved has been suspended while internal investigations and police inquiries continue.
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