Woman Accused of Deadly Easter Egg Plot Allegedly Tried to Poison Romantic Rival Before — But Alleged Attempt Was Foiled

A woman accused of hatching a murder plot — which inadvertently killed the young son of her ex-boyfriend’s new partner — had allegedly tried to poison the woman at least once before.

Jordélia Pereira Barbosa, 35, was arrested in the Brazilian state of Maranhão last week, after allegedly sending an Easter egg to Mirian Lira, her ex-boyfriend’s new romantic partner.

Lira, 35, ended up in the hospital in critical condition alongside her teen daughter Evelyn Fernanda, after allegedly consuming the eggs on Wednesday, April 16, per local outlets FDamiaoNoticias and Imperatriz. According to the outlets, authorities suspect her son, 7-year-old Luis Silva, fell “severely ill” after consuming the chocolate and died. 

Local authorities allege Barbosa sent Lira’s family an Easter egg with the note: “With love, to Miriam Lira. Happy Easter,” CNN Brasil and FDamiaoNoticias reported. Investigators believe her actions were fueled by jealousy, Imperatriz and CNN Brasil reported.

Authorities believe the alleged poisoning represented Barbosa’s second attempt to take Lira’s life: Investigators allege that previously, the suspect tried to hand out candies at a supermarket where Lira worked, Imperatriz reported.

Barbosa allegedly went to Lira’s workplace under the guise of offering a chocolate tasting to employees there, authorities said, per the outlet. She was turned away when she was unable to give any details about the company she was purportedly representing. 

Barbosa then allegedly went to the supermarket’s parking lot and tried to hand out chocolates to the employees, but Lira was not present, authorities said, the outlet reported. 

Barbosa then allegedly bought an Easter egg and had it delivered to Lira’s place. This, say authorities, led to the death of Lira’s son.

It wasn’t immediately clear if any of Lira’s co-workers at the supermarket were harmed in the alleged attempt. 

Security footage obtained by CNN Brasil shows a woman alleged to be Barbosa in a wig and glasses that cover most of her face as she purchases a box of chocolates.

Authorities later seized a wig, glasses, a fake badge and a portion of chocolate she was allegedly carrying, per CNN Brasil.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.          

It wasn’t immediately clear what charges Barbosa is facing.

On Monday afternoon, Imperatriz reported in an update that Lira is recovering and communicating with relatives as she receives psychological treatment. Fernanda, 13, remains in critical condition.