Derek Rosa, a 13-year-old teenager from Hialeah, Florida, who stabbed his mother multiple times while she slept next to his newborn half-sister, is now facing charges as an adult.
On Friday, Rosa did not appear in court to face the first-degree murder charge related to the killing of his 39-year-old mother, Irina Garcia; instead, his father and paternal grandmother were present with his attorney.
The stabbing occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2023, and Rosa immediately called 911 to confess that he had just killed his mother, according to Hialeah police.
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Rosa asked a dispatcher to send police to his apartment in the 911 call that WPLG made public.
The dispatcher asked, “I need to know if your mom is breathing.”
Rosa replied, “She’s dead, miss,” and added, “There’s blood all over the floor.”
Rosa also told the dispatcher that he “took pictures and I told my friend about it.”
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Garcia’s lifeless body next to a crib where her 14-day-old daughter was sleeping.
The family resided in an apartment within the Amelia Oaks complex, located at 211 W. 79th Place, according to police.
An arrest report reveals that Garcia was found on the ground with multiple stab wounds to her neck.
Jose Rosa, the father of the accused, fought tirelessly for his son’s release. Both Jose Rosa and the accused’s mother submitted a total of 26 character reference letters to the judge in an effort to sway the decision in their favor.
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The accused is scheduled to appear before a judge for an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, where formal charges will be presented.
If found guilty, Rosa could potentially face a life sentence in prison. While first-degree murder carries the possibility of capital punishment in Florida, it is worth noting that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared the death penalty unconstitutional for individuals who were minors at the time of the crime.
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