Hytalo Santos and her spouse faced detention following a court hearing on custody matters.
Hytalo Santos and Husband Remain in Custody Amid Child Exploitation Allegations
In a shocking turn of events, Brazilian influencer Hytalo Santos and his husband, Israel Natan Vicente, have been remanded in custody by the São Paulo Court of Justice. The arrest, which took place on August 15, 2025, follows an extensive police investigation that began in 2024[1][2][5].
The investigation, led by the MP of Pará, has been marred by the leakage of confidential information about the case[3]. The preventive imprisonment decree also cited the risk of obstructing the investigation as a reason for the arrest[4].
Santos, known for his controversial content on social media, has been under scrutiny for exposing adolescents to content with sexual connotations to obtain profit[6]. The investigations allege that he is suspected of committing crimes of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation[7][8].
The arrest occurred after a video exposing Santos was released by the YouTuber Felca, who titled it "adultization." The video, which has garnered over 30 million views, shows Santos asking questions like "have you ever crossed the line?", "have you ever hooked up with more than four at a party?", and "have you ever felt like being with a parent, sibling, cousin, or friend's uncle?"[9].
Equipment was removed from Santos' house in João Pessoa (PB) during the execution of search and seizure warrants on Wednesday[10]. The police were executing a prison warrant from the state of Pará, as informed in the video released by the Criminal Investigation Department[11].
Santos' lawyer has stated that he will take "all appropriate judicial measures" to safeguard the influencer's rights, but had not yet had access to the content of the decision[12]. The defense has called the imprisonment an "extreme measure."
The custody hearing was held virtually on Saturday, 16th, to verify if any illegality was committed in the arrest. As of late August 2025, there is no publicly available update yet on trial proceedings or final legal rulings, so the case remains under investigation and judicial review.
[1] Investigation into Hytalo Santos begins in 2024 [2] Santos under investigation for human trafficking and child exploitation [3] Investigations prejudiced by leakage of confidential information [4] Preventive imprisonment decree cites risk of obstructing investigation [5] Equipment removed from Santos' house during search and seizure warrants [6] Santos accused of exposing minors to content with sexual connotations [7] Santos suspected of committing crimes of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation [8] Arrest due to allegations of "indications of participation" in crimes [9] Video shows Santos asking controversial questions to minors [10] Equipment removed from Santos' house in João Pessoa [11] Police executing a prison warrant from the state of Pará [12] Santos' lawyer to take "all appropriate judicial measures"
- The extensive investigation into Hytalo Santos' social-media content, which began in 2024 and has since been marred by leaks of confidential information, allegedly shows his involvement in entertaining content with sexual connotations that exploits minors, leading to charges of human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.
- Amid these allegations, general-news outlets report that Santos and his husband are currently in custody, with the São Paulo Court of Justice issuing a preventive imprisonment decree due to the risk of obstructing the ongoing crime-and-justice investigation.
- The entertainment industry, as well as celebrities, have yet to comment on Santos' arrest, and the custody hearing on Saturday, 16th, did not provide an update on trial proceedings or final legal rulings, leaving the case under ongoing investigation and judicial review in August 2025.
