‘The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature’ French author, Abbé Prévost once said. After all, fathers make the unsung sacrifices to give their children a happy and healthy life.
Well, that’s what usually comes to our minds when we talk about our fathers. But a recent case from Brazil presents that this may not always be true.
2-year-old Joao Miguel was suffering from type 1 spinal muscular atrophy. He desperately needed a medication called Spinraza costing £65,301 (Rs. 59.7 lakh) for a single dose in order to prevent the disease from advancing.
His father Mateus Henrique Leroy Alves raised money for his treatment with the help of online crowdfunding. He had collected £114,060 (Rs1.4 crore approx.) for his treatment through the donations, reports The Sun. Jaoa was however given his first dose of Spinraza in August.
But later, his 37-year-old father was arrested by the cops under suspicion of spending the donation money on holidays and personal use. He allegedly used the donation cash for a luxury trip and traveled to the city of Salvador in Brazil without his wife from his home in Conselheiro Lafaiete.
His wife, Karine Rodrigues got suspicious about her husband’s activities when the information he gave about the trip did not add up. When police asked Karine to check the donation amount, she discovered that a large amount of money was missing from the raised funds.
Alves was arrested donation money on watches, designer clothing, drinks, drugs, and expensive aftershave.
He had allegedly “invested” £9,495 (Rs. 8.6 Lakh) in a brothel in Conselheiro Lafaiete, reports Mirror.
Investigator Daniel Gomes said, “Alves has been charged with larceny and material neglect of his family. He remains in detention. There has already been a hearing. The sentence is scheduled to be released next month.”
After his father’s arrest, the government had offered to sponsor Joao’s treatment. suffered from a severe degenerative disease died of a heart attack last week after his condition worsened.
It’s heartbreaking to see that a father’s neglect has cost a child his life.
Cover Image Source: Right