HIALEAH, FL – A 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his mother in their Hialeah apartment is now facing trial as an adult, leading his family to plead for a second chance in a bond court hearing. Derek Rosa will be indicted for first-degree murder following a review of evidence by the Miami-Dade grand jury, automatically transferring his case to the adult felony court system. Although not facing the death penalty, he could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison for his mother’s tragic demise.
During the bond court hearing, Rosa’s father and grandmother testified on behalf of the 13-year-old, hoping to secure his release under house arrest. Over 20 letters addressed to the court portrayed Derek as a respectful honor roll student, beloved by friends. Rosa’s father expressed his bafflement over the incident, emphasizing his military service and the values he had instilled in his son. “It’s hard for us to explain how this occurred,” said Jose Rosa. “It’s difficult, but I guess what we are asking for is another opportunity, a second chance to help him grow – put this behind him and say we have your back – we are here to support you.” The father even proposed that the grandmother would move in to assist with Derek’s care.
Despite their pleas, bond was denied for Rosa, though the family’s attorney plans to request an Arthur hearing in the hope of securing some form of bond. The teen now has an assigned judge, and his arraignment is scheduled for next Tuesday.
This development follows the release of chilling 911 calls in which Rosa contacted the police after the killing. The fatal stabbing occurred on October 12 in an apartment at 211 West 79th Place, where the 13-year-old allegedly killed his 39-year-old mother in her bedroom, adjacent to a crib where her newborn baby slept. The 911 call, while heavily redacted, reveals the teen’s conversations with the dispatcher and his admission to the crime. Detectives reported that he confessed to stabbing his mother while she slept, took photos of her body, and shared them with a friend on social media, subsequently revealing the act over the phone.
Hialeah Police spokesman Eddie Rodriguez described the situation as “heartbreaking” and “a very sad story.” He mentioned that the baby is the teen’s half-sister, and the mother’s husband, the teen’s stepfather, was out of state at the time of the incident but en route home. In the 911 call, the teen mentioned the stepfather’s attempts to contact him and his late mother.
Neighbors identified the victim as Irina Garcia, who had recently given birth to the baby just days before the tragic event. Derek Rosa is an 8th grader at iMater Academy in Hialeah.