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Florida Teenager’s Calm Demeanor Exposed in Bodycam Footage After Mother’s Stabbing
Newly released bodycam footage reveals the composed reaction of a 13-year-old boy during his arrest for the alleged fatal stabbing of his mother. The incident occurred as she slept beside her newborn infant. Derek Rosa, now 14, faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Irina García, 39, who was reportedly stabbed over 40 times with a kitchen knife in their Hialeah, Florida residence in October 2023. This disturbing case has garnered significant attention, particularly with the emergence of police bodycam footage capturing the arrest.
Arrest Footage Shows Teen’s Composure
NBC6 obtained bodycam footage documenting the moment law enforcement officers entered Rosa’s Hialeah home to apprehend the former honor roll student. The footage reveals the arrest process and the teenager’s interactions with the police.
‘Hands up! Hands up, come here, get on the ground!’ an officer is heard yelling as Rosa, clad in pajamas, emerges.
Officers promptly direct him to the ground and secure him in handcuffs before proceeding into the apartment.
‘There’s a knife in my room,’ Rosa informs the officer, who relays this information to colleagues. ‘There’s a baby,’ the young man adds, highlighting the presence of the infant.
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‘How’s the baby? Did you do anything to the f***ing baby?’ the officer demands, expressing concern for the newborn’s safety. Rosa assures him that the baby was left unharmed.
Upon entering García’s bedroom, police discovered the 39-year-old deceased in her bed, adjacent to the crib of her 14-day-old infant.
Derek Rosa, a Florida teenager accused of fatally stabbing his mother as she slept near her newborn daughter, appeared calm in bodycam footage following his arrest.
The teenager exited his Hialeah apartment in pajamas and was immediately surrounded by police officers.
In the footage, he can be heard informing officers about a baby inside the residence, stating he did not harm the child.
Motive Unclear; Insanity Defense Possible
As of now, a motive for the alleged crime remains undetermined. Rosa’s legal representatives have recently indicated they might pursue an insanity defense, raising questions about his mental state at the time of the incident.
Grandmother’s Testimony and Interrogation Details
Additional bodycam footage captures Rosa’s grandmother expressing disbelief and grief, telling an officer in Spanish that her grandson had never shown signs of mental distress.
‘I’ve never seen him with any mental problems or anything like that, he’s a normal kid, intelligent,’ she stated in Spanish. ‘I don’t know what happened…all I know is I don’t have a daughter anymore.’
Rosa entered a not guilty plea in December 2023, following his October arrest. However, subsequent interrogation footage revealed the teenager detailing specifics of the alleged crime.
In the footage, detectives questioned Rosa: ‘Your mom was sleeping?’
Rosa confirmed: ‘Yeah, she was sleeping.’
The video further showed the teenager displaying his bloodied hands to detectives and indicating his neck area when asked where he stabbed his mother, revealing details of the violent encounter.
Eerie black and white images reportedly captured the 13-year-old looming over his mother with a timestamp of 11 pm. Rosa reportedly called 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm.
Investigators stated that Rosa’s mother, Irina García, suffered more than 40 stab wounds.
Derek Rosa, now 14 years old, is awaiting trial for the killing and is currently held in an adult detention center.
Confession and Pre-Trial Hearing
He also reportedly told a detective that his mother screamed during the attack before he requested legal counsel.
During a pre-trial hearing on December 15, 2023, prosecutors played a recording of Rosa allegedly speaking to a detective immediately after the stabbing. In the recording, he stated: ‘I woke up, I grabbed one of the kitchen knives and I went to her room… I killed her.’
Upon hearing this recording, Miami Dade Circuit Judge Richard Hersch ordered the teenager to remain in an adult jail facility until his trial commences.
At another hearing, baby-cam footage reportedly depicted Rosa standing over his sleeping mother in her bed, moments preceding the alleged 46 stabs.
The footage reportedly showed the 13-year-old in black-and-white images looming over his mother with an 11 pm timestamp. Rosa purportedly contacted 911 to report the murder around 11:30 pm.
Selfie and Suicide Plan
Rosa is further accused of taking a smiling selfie, with his tongue out and what appears to be blood on his hands, and sending it to a friend immediately after the alleged killing.
According to police, after taking the pictures, Rosa asked a dispatcher if this action was ‘bad.’
He also purportedly claimed to have found two guns belonging to his stepfather after the stabbing and considered suicide but did not proceed with the plan.
Interrogation footage reportedly showed the teen describing the size and color of the knife he allegedly used in the commission of the crime.
The video reportedly showed the teenager showing detectives his bloodied hands and pointing to his neck when questioned about where he stabbed his mother. He also informed the detective that his mother screamed during the assault, before requesting an attorney.
Judge Hersch stated during a trial hearing on Friday his desire for Rosa’s case to proceed to trial swiftly, suggesting June as a possible date.
Family’s Shock and Internet Search History
Rosa’s family conveyed their shock regarding the charges, describing him as a ‘good kid’ and expressing disbelief that such an event could occur.
Hialeah Police officer Joseph Elosegui, the detective who interviewed Rosa, stated that investigators discovered additional evidence by examining Rosa’s internet activity.
He claimed the 13-year-old had researched methods to kill someone effectively and inquired whether a small knife could penetrate bone, indicating premeditation.
Rosa is set to be tried as an adult, and multiple requests to transfer him to a juvenile detention facility have been denied. His case continues to unfold in the Florida legal system.