GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A man has been arrested and charged with murder for the death of his 8-year-old daughter, who was allegedly beaten by her stepmother in Gwinnett County. The father, Cledir Mendes Barros, a resident of the same house where the young victim, Sayra Barros, was found, was taken into police custody on Wednesday night.
Along with charges of second-degree murder, Barros faces accusations of second-degree child cruelty. Both charges are classified as felonies. A Gwinnett County judge denied his bond during a court appearance on Thursday morning.
Earlier, the stepmother, 34-year-old Natiela Barros, was booked on several charges, including her stepdaughter’s malice murder. Her arrest warrant details that she allegedly struck Sayra 10 to 20 times with a wooden rolling pin, subsequently refusing to seek medical attention for the girl. Natiela was similarly denied bond, with the judge citing her as a potential danger.
The incident occurred at the family’s residence on Vine Springs Trace West of Bethlehem on Tuesday. However, the specific reason for the violent assault remains unknown. Natiela supposedly struck Sayra several times, inflicting serious injury to the back of her neck.
Local residents were shocked by the gruesome incident. One neighbor stated they had never witnessed any violence from the family, which reportedly included four children in total.
Investigative reports suggest Natiela chose not to call 911 after the attack. Instead, she reached out to her husband, who dialed 911 upon returning home and attempted to perform CPR on Sayra. Following her bond refusal, the judge told Natiela she would remain in custody for an extended period.