Developments in Derek Rosa's Case: Teen Convicted of Mother's Murder in Hialeah Moves to Northern Florida Prison

The young Derek Rosa, convicted this past January for the murder of his mother in a Hialeah apartment in 2023, has recently been relocated to a prison in northern Florida, according to official documents from the state's Department of Corrections.

The records indicate that Rosa is no longer held at the Metro West Detention Center, an adult jail in Miami-Dade County. He has been moved to the Suwannee Correctional Institution in Live Oak, Suwannee County, in northern Florida.

This correctional facility is primarily for adults but includes a section designated for juvenile offenders.

According to local media reports citing official records, Rosa's custody status is currently listed as “pending,” suggesting he might be transferred again to another institution.

The same documents also reveal the estimated release date for Rosa: October 5, 2048.

The prison record includes an updated photograph of the teen, now with a shaved head, contrasting sharply with earlier images shared post-arrest.

Plea Deal Before Trial

This transfer follows months after Rosa accepted a plea deal with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, just weeks before his trial was set to begin.

By pleading guilty to second-degree murder, the 15-year-old now faces 25 years in prison, followed by 20 years of probation.

The agreement also mandates that after serving his time, Rosa must undergo compulsory psychological treatment, continuing throughout his supervised release.

During probation, the court has prohibited him from contacting his stepfather, Frank Ramos, or his younger sister, who was present in the apartment during the crime.

The Hialeah Crime that Shocked the Community

In October 2023, Derek Rosa, then 13, was arrested for the fatal stabbing of his mother, Irina García, in their family apartment in Hialeah.

The teenager himself called 911, informing the operator of his actions.

Later, during a recorded police interrogation at the Hialeah station, Rosa once again confessed to the stabbing.

The case has profoundly impacted the South Florida community, not only due to Rosa's young age but also because of the tragic circumstances surrounding the crime.

With his recent transfer to a northern state prison and a projected release date in 2048, the judicial process now moves into a new phase focused on the execution of the agreed-upon sentence.