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Grandmother Defends Derek Rosa, Accused of Murder in Hialeah: "He's a Child, Not a Killer"

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 by Ethan Navarro

Grandmother Defends Derek Rosa, Accused of Murder in Hialeah: "He's a Child, Not a Killer"
José Rosa (L), Derek Rosa (C) and Isabel Acosta (R) - Image from © Collage video screenshots Telemundo 51

"He's a child, not a killer." These are the heartfelt words of Isabel Acosta as she defends her Cuban grandson, Derek Rosa, who stands accused of fatally stabbing his mother, Irina García, while she slept in their Hialeah apartment in October 2023. Nearly two years after the tragedy that shook the Cuban community in Miami, Isabel broke her silence in an exclusive interview with Telemundo 51. She shared the anguish of losing her daughter and the pain of not being able to embrace her grandson, who remains in custody at the Metro West Detention Center, awaiting trial for first-degree murder.

"I've lost my daughter, my granddaughter, and now I am without my grandson... that little angel I haven't seen since," the grandmother lamented. Every evening at eight, she anxiously awaits the brief 15-minute phone call she can share with Derek. "That half-hour I spend with his father is all that keeps me going," she admitted.

José Rosa, Derek's biological father, also spoke out, voicing his heartache: "Not being able to hug my son... it's unbearable. You want to build a future with him, teach him, support him, but not being able to touch him is devastating."

Family Torn Apart and Seeking Justice

Isabel also revealed the pain of being unable to see her other granddaughter, the infant who witnessed the events and was taken by authorities that very night. "They took her on October 28... that was the last time I held her," she recalled with distress.

The family's grief is compounded by outrage over the spread of explicit images of Irina's lifeless body on social media, along with videos of Derek's arrest and interrogation. "They don’t think about the child behind bars or the mother who’s gone... you have to live this pain to understand it," she said with deep frustration.

Legal Battle Over Derek's Confession

Describing Irina as a devoted mother, Isabel shared, "She was my clone. Her life revolved around her son, and he adored her. Everything was for him, and his father too," she affirmed.

Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Isabel holds on to her faith. She talks to her daughter every day, asking her to watch over Derek from wherever she might be. "For him, I’ll keep going until the end," Isabel concluded, with the resolve of a grandmother who still sees her grandson as a child, not as the criminal depicted in court documents.

Just recently, in a legal maneuver that sparked public debate, Derek Rosa's defense team requested the exclusion of one of the case's most critical pieces of evidence: his own confession to the police. This motion has been seen by some as a legitimate attempt to ensure due process, while others view it as an obstacle to uncovering the truth.

During a Miami-Dade criminal court hearing last Friday, defense attorneys argued that the confession was obtained without Derek, who was only 13 at the time of the crime, fully understanding his constitutional rights. They claim he "did not comprehend what it meant to speak to detectives without an attorney present," which they assert is a significant violation of his procedural rights.

According to court documents, the defense contends that the minor was given an incorrect warning when his rights were explained, prompting them to request a formal hearing to discuss the legality of the interrogation.

Key Questions Regarding Derek Rosa's Case

What charges is Derek Rosa facing in the Hialeah case?

Derek Rosa is facing charges of first-degree murder for the alleged stabbing of his mother, Irina García, in their Hialeah apartment.

Why is Derek Rosa's confession being challenged in court?

The defense argues that Derek's confession was obtained without him fully understanding his rights, claiming that he did not comprehend the implications of speaking to law enforcement without legal counsel.

How has the family reacted to the legal proceedings?

The family, including Isabel Acosta and José Rosa, has expressed deep anguish and frustration over the situation, emphasizing their belief in Derek's innocence and the emotional toll of the legal battle.

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