Who is Derek Rosa? Florida teen arrested for fatally stabbing his mother who was sleeping next to her newborn daughter

October 29th, 2025 at 5:54 PM

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old honor roll student from Florida, Derek Rosa, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his mother to death while she slept beside her newborn daughter.

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The incident sent shockwaves through the community, as friends and neighbors expressed disbelief that a teenager known for academic excellence could be involved in such a heinous crime.

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Irina Garcia, 39, was found dead in her bedroom at their apartment on West 79th Street in Hialeah. She was discovered just inches away from her 14-day-old daughter, who miraculously remained unharmed during the gruesome event.

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Derek Rosa was cooperative with the authorities
Derek Rosa's calm facade shatters the community

Derek Rosa was cooperative with the authorities

The horrifying incident unfolded around 11.30 pm on Thursday, 12 October, when Derek Rosa made a chilling 911 call, admitting to having "just murdered his mother," as per the New York Post.

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Hialeah Police Department's Lt Eddie Rodriguez stated that they have charged the teenager as a minor due to his age but publicly identified him as he faces a felony count of second-degree murder.

What is particularly unsettling about this case is that Derek was described as a very polite and apologetic young man during his interactions with the emergency dispatcher and responding officers.

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His demeanor was entirely unexpected, given the gruesomeness of the crime scene.

Derek, an eighth-grader at iMater Charter Middle/High School, maintained a straight-A honor roll status. Friends, family, and neighbors described him as a seemingly well-adjusted teen who was often seen helping his mother and appeared calm.

At the time of the incident, his stepfather, a truck driver, was away in Georgia, while the mother, her newborn daughter, and Derek were the only ones present in the apartment.

Neighbors and friends were left baffled by the gruesome act, with some recalling how Derek and his stepfather participated in a joyful maternity photoshoot with Irina Garcia before the birth of her daughter. The contrast between those idyllic photos and the tragic outcome was striking.

As of now, authorities have not been able to establish a motive for the crime. Lt. Eddie Rodriguez reported that Derek had not provided any information regarding why he committed the shocking act.

Derek Rosa's calm facade shatters the community

The community and investigators have been left scrambling for answers, as they struggle to comprehend the tragedy that unfolded in that Hialeah apartment due to Derek Rosa's demeanor.

Following his surrender to the police, Derek was taken to a juvenile detention center. It was reported that he was later transported to a hospital after he allegedly threatened to harm himself.

The 13-year-old suspect made his initial court appearance the following day.

His case has sent shockwaves through the community, sparking discussions about the complexities of mental health, the capacity for violence in unexpected places, and the importance of understanding the motives behind such devastating actions.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to unravel the disturbing circumstances surrounding the death of Irina Garcia.