A corrections officer on duty in the guard tower during last week's daring escape of a convicted murderer from a Pennsylvania prison has been dismissed.
The prisoner's escape, which involved "crab walking" up a wall, has prompted an enormous ongoing search. Here is the most recent information regarding this high-stakes situation.
Ongoing Search Following Daring Pennsylvania Prison Escape
On Friday, the Chester County District Attorney's Office verified that the corrections officer, a Chester County Prison veteran of 18 years, was terminated on Thursday afternoon. However, their identity remains unknown to the public.
Danelo Cavalcante, age 34, is not just an escaped prisoner but also sought in his native Brazil for murder. On August 31 at 8:50 a.m., it was discovered Cavalcante was absent from the prison.
For the violent stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, he had recently been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, pending transfer to a state correctional facility.
As recounted by the acting warden of the Chester County Prison, Howard Holland, Cavalcante escaped by scaling a prison wall, navigating razor wire, and leaping to a less secure area. In May, a separate prisoner, Igor Vidra Bolte, also escaped similarly.
A critical difference between the two escapes was the presence of a tower sentry. In response to Bolte's escape, the tower officer reported the incident promptly, resulting in Bolte's swift capture. In contrast, the tower officer neglected to observe or report Cavalcante's escape, only discovered during routine inmate counts.
Cavalcante escaped by "crab walking" up a wall, forcing his way through razor wire erected after Bolte's escape, running across the prison roof, and climbing additional razor wire, according to ABC NEws.
To address these vulnerabilities, the prison is enclosing the eight exercise yards entirely, presently open-air. Additionally, other security cameras and officers on the ground will enhance the surveillance of inmates. The search for Cavalcante has intensified, with nearly 400 personnel from multiple agencies participating, representing the most considerable effort since his escape.
Per The Independent, recent sighting near Longwood Gardens, located approximately 5 miles southwest of the prison, prompted officers to extend the prison's perimeter westward towards the horticultural attraction.
Lt. Col. George Bivens Highlights Urgency in Hunt for Convicted Murderer
Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police emphasized the urgency, characterizing Cavalcante as a "dangerous individual." Cavalcante was found guilty of first-degree murder on August 16 for stabbing his ex-girlfriend, Deborah Brandao, to death in front of her two young children in 2021.
Brandao's murder in Schuylkill Township was unusually gruesome, as she was stabbed 38 times. Prosecutors disclosed that she had discovered Cavalcante's wanted status in Brazil for homicide and had threatened to expose him, as per CNN.
Cavalcante fled to Virginia after the murder but was ultimately apprehended and returned to Pennsylvania to face justice.
According to Lt. Col. Bivens, Cavalcante is "desperate" but has previously demonstrated his ability to elude capture, including in the Brazilian jungles.
The chase for Cavalcante continues, with authorities determined to bring this dangerous fugitive back into custody, ensuring the safety of the community and justice for his heinous offenses.
