A Brazilian couple has been sentenced to 50 days in prison for homeschooling their two daughters, in a landmark case that has sparked debate over educational freedom and parental rights in the country.
Audato and Ieda Denardi were found guilty of “intellectual neglect” by a court in São Paulo state, despite the prosecution recommending their acquittal after finding no evidence of neglect and noting the children’s proper academic and social development.
The Christian legal organization ADF International, representing the family on appeal, condemned the case as “a grotesque abuse of criminal law” and pledged to continue defending the couple. The conviction, initially handed down in April 2026, is currently under appeal before the Seventh Criminal Court Chamber of the São Paulo State Court of Justice and remains suspended pending resolution.
Mother: ‘I cannot conceive of a more dictatorial state’
Ieda Denardi expressed her distress and defended parental rights. “As a mother, I cannot conceive of a more dictatorial state than the one that wants me in jail because I chose to exercise my right to direct the education and upbringing of my daughters,” she said via ADF International. “My husband and I are hopeful the court will recognize our right to choose the best education for our children and overturn this unjust conviction.”
The couple began homeschooling in 2020 after finding remote public education during the COVID-19 pandemic inadequate. Since then, they report significant improvements in their daughters’ academic performance and the ability to incorporate family values and faith into their education.
Judge considers music preferences as evidence
One of the most striking aspects is the judge’s reasoning for the verdict. According to the ruling, the parents’ educational program did not include content regarding “gender and sex education” or “tolerance and diversity.” The court also concluded that the girls, aged 15 and 11, not enjoying popular musical genres like “trap” or “sertanejo” demonstrated a supposed deficiency in cultural education—despite both being advanced pianists fluent in several languages.
The judge accused the parents of “using their daughters as pawns in an ideological struggle, subjecting them to a form of unregulated education” and completely excluding state involvement.
Prosecution sought acquittal
“The prosecutor examined the witnesses and recommended acquittal. An independent educational psychologist found no sign of neglect. The girls described rigorous daily education,” said Julio Pohl, legal counsel for Latin America at ADF International. However, “the judge convicted anyway because a 15-year-old said she finds some music lyrics morally questionable, and because the curriculum didn’t include state-approved content on gender.”
Pohl added: “A parent has been sentenced to prison not for failing to educate her children, but for educating them according to her own values. This is a grotesque abuse of criminal law, and we will not let it stand.”
First criminal prosecution against homeschooling families
Over 70,000 children are homeschooled in Brazil, but a lack of regulation leaves many families in legal uncertainty. The Denardi case is the first criminal conviction of parents for homeschooling. The situation has reached the legislature, with hearings held and the Denardis urging lawmakers to pass a law guaranteeing families the right to choose homeschooling. A bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022 remains stalled in the Senate.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa and adapted by EWTN News.
