An eight-year-old boy has been stabbed to death while defending his pregnant mother from his stepfather.

The incident took place in the Jardim Santa Clara neighbourhood of the city of Embu das Artes, which is located near the city of Sao Paulo, in the Brazilian state of and in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo on Tuesday night, 16th August.

The victim has been named as Andre Miguel and the young boy’s mother, named only as Andreia, who is pregnant, was being physically assaulted by her ex-husband, the boy’s stepdad, according to police.

The suspect has been named as Luis Henrique Ribeiro Silva, 23, and he reportedly tracked down his ex-wife despite her moving house after their relationship ended.

The child reportedly tried to defend his mother but was fatally stabbed. His mother was also stabbed and suffered a broken leg. Neighbours found the pair after the mother screamed, with the mother reportedly begging them to save her son, who was losing a lot of blood.

The pregnant woman was injured but survived the attack. Both victims were taken to the General Hospital of Itapecerica da Serra, in Embu Mirim, but little Andre Miguel passed away on the way there.

His mother remains in hospital in serious condition.

Silva also reportedly ran over a neighbour, named as Isac Ferreira, on 31st July in a fit of jealousy, in a hit-and-run. Local media speculated that there may have been a connection between Ferreira and Andreia that triggered the road rage incident.

Silva was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder on Wednesday, 17th August, shortly after the boy and his pregnant ex-wife were found stabbed.

Andreia’s second child, a one-year-old who has not been named, has been taken into care by social services.