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Fugitive 'Dr. Frankenstein' Vanishes Before Trial
26 Aug
Summary
- Accused of unlicensed plastic surgery, facing 14 charges.
- Ankle monitor tampered; vanished days before trial.
- Believed to have fled to Brazil after surrendering passport.
Joao Batista Cunha De Araujo, a 57-year-old Brazilian national dubbed 'Dr. Frankenstein,' has allegedly disappeared just days before his trial was set to begin on August 4, 2026. Araujo faces 14 charges in Miami-Dade County, 13 of which are felonies, related to theft, fraud, and practicing medicine without credentials.
Authorities confirmed that Araujo had surrendered his passport and was wearing an ankle monitor as part of his house arrest. However, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, the ankle monitor generated a tamper alert. Responding officers could not locate Araujo or the device at his last known address on Bay Harbor Islands.
A judge subsequently revoked his house arrest and issued a new arrest warrant, authorizing full extradition. Araujo's attorney stated he was prepared to challenge the allegations and expressed surprise at his client's disappearance. It is now believed Araujo may have fled to his native Brazil, despite having previously surrendered his passport.
Araujo's wife, Amanda Soares Felizardo Ungaro, who faced seven charges herself, was deported earlier this year. The Florida Department of Health confirmed that neither Araujo nor Ungaro held medical licenses in the state. At least one patient reportedly suffered injuries from an unspecified procedure performed by Araujo, including extensive lumps after receiving 17 bottles of filler in a single sitting.
