4-Year-Old Girl Tragically Dies During Birthday Party at School

In the Brazilian city of Teresina, the parents of a little girl have spoken out in sorrow and anger, vowing to uncover the full circumstances of her death at school.

A 4-year-old girl died after being struck by a dressing table inside the Kennedy Unit of CEV School in Teresina, Piauí, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

The victim, Alice Brasil Souza da Paz, had celebrated her birthday the day before and held a small party at school that same morning with her twin brother and classmates.

According to the Civil Police of Piauí, the accident happened in the school's playroom while five children were waiting for afternoon activities or for their guardians to arrive, accompanied by two early childhood education staff members.

Alice was lying on the floor when another child crawled under the dressing table. Upon standing, the furniture tipped over and fell on her.

The school reported that one teacher removed the furniture, while another took Alice to the infirmary. A nurse began first aid and called SAMU, the emergency medical service, after realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Following SAMU's guidance, staff transported Alice toward the nearest health post but stopped to meet an ambulance on the way. The family was informed of the location, and her parents soon arrived.

Alice's father, Army Major Claudio Sousa, said in a press conference, "Alice was a beautiful, clever, and affectionate 4-year-old princess. This past Tuesday, we arrived at school in the morning with our daughter, alive and healthy, to celebrate her and her brother's birthday with their classmates. After the party, we said goodbye to our children and went to work."

"A few hours later, we were called and told that she had died at school. First, they said a toy had fallen on her, then they changed the versions. We still haven't received any clear explanation to this day. No parent should ever go through this," he added.

The father described the pain of the day, saying, "My birthday was yesterday. My present was to bury my daughter. On the day I was supposed to celebrate another year of life, I had to bury my 4-year-old daughter. (…) It became the worst day of our lives, a day that will never leave our minds. The birthday present I got was a coffin with my daughter's body."

According to the family, Alice's twin brother witnessed the accident and saw "a lot of blood coming from her nose" before she was taken for medical care.

"He was with her when it happened. He saw everything. How do I explain to a 4-year-old boy that his sister, who shared everything with him since they were in their mother's womb... he saw it all, witnessing something no child or person should ever see," the father revealed.

Her mother, photographer Dayana Brasil, livestreamed the interview on social media. She expressed, "I want to know how it happened, how it all started. I want to know what was done for her at the school after it happened. I want to know what was done for my son who witnessed everything. And I want to know how she left the school. I have every right to know, because I still don't know."

In a statement, the school stated that it is cooperating with authorities: "CEV School reaffirms its full commitment to truth, transparency, and care for people. At this moment, our priority is to offer psychological support, comfort, and attentive communication to the families of our students, our staff, and the entire school community."

"We are at the disposal of the competent authorities and fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations, confident that the facts will be duly clarified through forensic analysis. We remain present, sensitive, and available for whatever is necessary in this moment of grief and mourning," concluded the statement.

The CEV Educational Group also issued a separate statement, which read, "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 Child and Adolescent Protection Police Unit (DPCA) is leading the investigation, which must be completed within 30 days. The Public Prosecutor's Office has also opened an administrative procedure. The school has suspended classes for the week and plans to resume on Monday, August 11.

In the days following the tragedy, Alice's parents expressed their grief publicly through social media. On August 13, they shared a joint Instagram post remembering their daughter.

They wrote, "We lived each moment intensely by the side of our angel, ALICE BRASIL. 'Migalice' will live forever in our hearts. As she herself used to say: 'Daddy, did you know that Jesus protects us from danger, did you know?' It is with His protection and blessings that we rely on to keep going from here, my love."

"On behalf of the family, I would like to sincerely thank all those who have supported us in this moment of immeasurable pain. Alice will never be forgotten. THIS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT!" concluded the post.

Just days earlier, on August 8, Dayana shared another heartfelt message on Instagram, marking three days since the incident. She penned, "On August 5, 2025, the world kept turning... but mine came to a stop. It wasn't just a part of me that was lost — I lost myself entirely."

"You took with you my dreams, my strength, my ability to be happy... And here I remain, looking back, trying to catch sight of the little girl who once ran free, not knowing that so soon she would fly far away from me. My daughter, you are and will always be the most beautiful part of me," noted the devastated mother.

The post was accompanied by a photo taken during the family's July 2025 vacation.

The grief was also visible on August 10, Father's Day in Brazil, when witnesses saw Major Claudio at Jardim da Ressurreição Cemetery in Teresina's eastern zone.

According to a report by Portal Info Newss, he sat for hours beside his daughter's grave under a green umbrella, surrounded by flowers. The scene, described as deeply moving, reflected the depth of a father's loss and the enduring bond between them.

The case remains under investigation, as family, friends, and the school community continue to grapple with the impact of the little girl's death.