The guilty plea of Derek Rosa marked the judicial conclusion of one of the most shocking cases in South Florida in recent years.
However, one of the moments that moved those present in the Miami-Dade court the most was not the sentence nor the brief apology from the young accused, but the words—intense, painful, and direct—spoken by Frank Ramos, his stepfather and the father of Derek's younger sister.
During the final hearing, held on Friday, Ramos addressed Derek Rosa for the first time, the Cuban-American teenager who, at just 13 years old, stabbed his mother, Irina García, more than 40 times while she was sleeping in their Hialeah apartment next to a newborn.
Ramos' statements, filled with unfulfilled affection and restrained reproach, portrayed the emotional void left by the crime and highlighted the irreversible fracture in a family that was, in his words, "very close."
"For me, you were like a son."
Frank Ramos, who was not in Hialeah at the time of the murder in October 2023, took the stand to speak directly to the young man he once raised as his own.
“To me, you were like a son; we were a very close family,” she said, looking at Derek, who was dressed in prison uniform.
"Your mother was a loving and dedicated mom, an excellent person. Her passing destroyed our family and changed my life forever," he added with a trembling voice.
The crime occurred when the baby that Irina García and Frank Ramos had together was just 14 days old. Since then, Ramos has taken on the responsibility of raising the girl by himself.
"After this tragedy, I was left alone with your little sister," he confessed.
“Nothing can justify what you did or bring your mother back, but I firmly believe that you must take responsibility and face the consequences of your actions,” he stated, making it clear that while there was affection, there is also a wound that cannot be healed.
In his statement, Frank Ramos also condemned the public impact that the case has had on his personal life, beyond the familial pain.
“During these two years, I have also been defamed and harassed, which has severely impacted my peace of mind and personal life,” he stated.
Social media, where the case was fervently debated, filled with theories, cross-accusations, and speculations about the motives behind the crime.
While some defended the minor's mental health, others demanded justice without compromise. Caught in this crossfire, Ramos found himself trapped, according to his own testimony.
Justice finally imposed a 25-year prison sentence for Derek Rosa for second-degree homicide with a weapon.
In addition, the young man will spend another 20 years on probation and must undergo psychological treatment.
By order of Judge Richard Hersch, he will not be allowed to have contact with either his stepfather or his sister once he is released from prison.
The hearing concluded with Derek Rosa's final words.
“I'm sorry, that's all, Your Honor”, said the young man, accompanied by his lawyer Dayliset Rielo.
A crime that shattered a family
Derek Rosa was only 13 years old when he committed the crime.
Her mother, Irina García, was murdered with over 40 stab wounds in the back, neck, throat, and face. The newborn sister, whom he did not harm, was sleeping in the same bed.
It was Derek himself who called 911 to confess to the murder.
During the trial, his defense claimed that he suffered from ADHD and was on the autism spectrum.
They also stated that he did not fully understand the consequences of his actions and expressed suicidal thoughts after the crime.
However, those allegations did not prevent the prosecution from using the young man's initial confession as evidence, a recording made after his arrest and deemed crucial for the plea agreement.
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