Derek Rosa Pleads Guilty to Stabbing His Mother in Hialeah: "I'm Sorry"

A Cuban-American teenager, Derek Rosa, has admitted guilt in the murder of his mother, Irina García, which took place in October 2023 at their home in Hialeah, located in Miami-Dade County.

At the time of the crime, Rosa was only 13 years old and was charged with first-degree murder, as reported by Telemundo 51.

During the court proceedings, seasoned Judge Richard Hersch directly asked Rosa if he was pleading guilty, to which the young defendant replied affirmatively.

He listened to the terms of his plea and concluded the session with a brief statement: "I'm sorry."

Frank Ramos, the teenager's stepfather, attended the hearing and delivered a stern message: "You must face the consequences of your actions, as the law requires."

Attempts have been made by Rosa's supporters to implicate Ramos in the crime; however, the prosecution established that Ramos was not in Miami on the night in question.

The decision to plead guilty follows a ruling that allowed the prosecution to use Rosa's initial confession as evidence in court. In the recorded confession, Rosa admitted to stabbing his mother over 40 times inside her bedroom.

The prosecution argued that the confession was lawfully obtained without any coercion. Prosecutors asserted that Rosa had ample time to calm down before his interaction with officers and was fully aware of the situation, as evidenced in both the interview and his 911 call following the incident.

“His first response was, ‘I’m fine.’ He didn’t ask for help or show any distress. That clearly indicates his mental state,” a prosecutor stated during the hearing.

The defense team has consistently argued that Rosa suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and is on the autism spectrum. According to his lawyers, he lacked the capacity to understand his actions or their repercussions.

The defense attorney highlighted that during the 911 call, Rosa expressed suicidal thoughts and said he no longer wished to live after the incident. “This indicates a profoundly disturbed mental state and limited understanding of his actions,” she stated.

The case has shocked the community of Hialeah due to the brutality of the crime, the defendant's young age, and the fact that García was sleeping next to a 14-day-old baby, who was unharmed.

The case has also attracted significant attention from local media and child mental health organizations.

Rosa remains in custody awaiting sentencing. Given the severity of the crime, he could face a life sentence, although his age at the time of the murder might impact the final judgment.