Mother Seeks Justice for Son as Brazilian Court Orders Preventive Arrest of Man Believed to Be in Australia

A Brazilian mother is appealing for help after a serious road incident left her son fighting for his life — while the man accused in the criminal proceedings is now believed by Brazilian judicial authorities to be in Australia.

According to material provided to Portal Gringo News, Bernardo Henriques was struck in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, on 31 May 2025.

His mother, Iara Henriques, says the incident permanently changed the family's life. She alleges that Cristiano Simões dos Santos was driving the vehicle involved and claims he had consumed alcohol before the collision.

Court documents reviewed by Portal Gringo News show that Brazilian prosecutors later brought criminal proceedings involving allegations under Brazil’s Criminal Code and traffic legislation.

The judicial documents further state that Bernardo was left in an extremely serious medical condition following the incident.

What began as a local criminal proceeding in Brazil has since developed into an international case.

According to the preventive arrest order issued by the 4th Criminal Court of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, judicial officials were unable to locate Cristiano at the address provided to the court.

The decision records information that he had moved overseas — specifically to Australia.

Brazilian judicial authorities subsequently issued a preventive arrest warrant and ordered steps towards his inclusion in an INTERPOL Red Notice / international diffusion process.

The warrant contained in the documents supplied to Portal Gringo News lists its validity until 20 July 2046.

Importantly, a preventive arrest order is not a criminal conviction. Cristiano Simões dos Santos remains entitled to due process, legal defence and the presumption of innocence unless and until convicted by a competent court.

For Bernardo’s mother, however, the issue is also deeply personal.

Her message is simple: