A heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case in Florida has come to a close with a teenage boy pleading guilty to killing his own mother. Derek Rosa, now 15 years old, admitted in court to second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of his mother, Irina Garcia, in a case that has shocked not just the local community but the entire country.
Tragedy in Hialeah: A Crime That Left Everyone in Shock
The incident took place on October 12, 2023, in the family’s apartment in Hialeah, just north of Miami. Rosa, who was only 13 at the time, called 911 around 11:30 p.m. to report what he had done. Police arrived to find Irina Garcia’s lifeless body in bed—stabbed over 40 times—with her 14-day-old baby lying unharmed in a crib nearby.
Rosa was an eighth-grade honor roll student, described by friends and teachers as a bright, respectful, and well-behaved child. Police also said there was no known history of mental illness or family violence, which made the crime all the more shocking.
A Guilty Plea Avoids a First-Degree Murder Trial
Originally charged with first-degree murder and tried as an adult, Rosa faced the possibility of life in prison. But just before the trial was set to begin, he changed his plea and accepted a deal: 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of probation.
During the court hearing, Rosa quietly said just two words: “I’m sorry.”
Disturbing Evidence Raised More Questions
As the case unfolded, prosecutors revealed chilling details. The 911 call was released, showing how calm and detached Rosa was just minutes after the crime. He even asked the dispatcher, “I took pictures and I told my friends about it… was that bad?” He later explained he had sent the image to a friend he knew only through an online video game.
Investigators also uncovered surveillance footage from the home. One still showed Irina in bed, holding her newborn, around 10:23 p.m. By 11 p.m., a shadowy figure stood over her in a darkened room. Later, Rosa posted a selfie with a bloody hand, making a “shaka” hand gesture.
In a videotaped confession, Rosa detailed how and why he committed the crime and admitted to sending images of his mother’s body to his online friend. His defense attorneys argued that, at 13, he didn’t fully understand what he was doing when speaking to police, but the judge ruled that Rosa was intelligent enough to waive his rights and that detectives had acted appropriately.
A Family Torn Apart
Irina Garcia, 39, was remembered in court as a loving and devoted mother. Her husband and Rosa’s stepfather gave a statement during the plea hearing, saying, “Losing her destroyed our family and changed our lives forever.”
In a statement after the hearing, Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said:
“The pain Irina Garcia suffered from the 46 stab wounds could only have been surpassed by the knowledge that the person killing her was her own young son. When he stole his mother’s life, he also stole so much of his own future.”
What Happens Next
Derek Rosa will now serve 25 years in prison. Because he has already spent time in pretrial detention, that time will count toward his sentence. After his release, Rosa will be on probation for 20 years, under strict supervision.
While the legal case may be resolved, the emotional wounds left behind will take far longer to heal. A mother is gone, a baby girl will grow up without her, and a young boy who once had a bright future now faces decades behind bars for a crime that defies understanding.
