In a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves through a Florida community, a 13-year-old boy is accused of fatally stabbing his own mother. The incident occurred on the night of October 12th, leaving authorities and the community grappling with the unthinkable act.
According to police reports, 39-year-old Arena Garcia suffered multiple stab wounds and tragically succumbed to her injuries. The gruesome discovery was made at the family’s home in Hialeah, Florida. Adding to the tragedy, Garcia had just given birth to a baby girl only two weeks prior. Miraculously, the infant was unharmed during the violent attack, reportedly sleeping soundly nearby.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as 13-year-old Derek Rosa, made a chilling 911 call around 11:30 PM. In the disturbing audio recording, Rosa can be heard telling the dispatcher, “My mom is dead.” The dispatcher repeatedly asks about Garcia’s condition and if anything can be done to help her, to which Rosa responds, “She’s dead.”
Image of a police car
Adding to the unsettling nature of the call, Rosa admits to contemplating suicide using his stepfather’s firearm. However, he reveals that he couldn’t bring himself to follow through with it. Rosa’s stepfather, a truck driver, was reportedly out of state at the time of the incident.
Disturbingly, the 911 call takes an even darker turn as Rosa reveals to the dispatcher, “I took pictures and I told my friends about it.” He confirms sending the graphic images to an online friend, raising concerns about the potential psychological impact and the role of online interactions in this tragedy.
The call, lasting over 15 minutes, captures Rosa expressing fear that the police will kill him. However, upon the arrival of law enforcement, he surrenders peacefully.
The recorded 911 call is expected to play a crucial role in the legal proceedings, potentially serving as a confession. As the investigation unfolds, legal experts are examining whether Rosa will be tried as an adult.
Currently held in juvenile detention, Rosa faces charges of second-degree murder. The gravity of the crime, particularly the presence of the newborn infant, raises questions about potential child endangerment charges as well.
The upcoming hearing, scheduled for November 2nd, will be pivotal in determining the course of the legal process. Prosecutors are expected to present evidence and arguments to support trying Rosa as an adult.
Despite the horrific nature of the crime, neighbors and acquaintances describe Rosa as a good kid and an honor student. Hialeah police spokesperson, Eddie Rodriguez, expressed the community’s shock, stating, “This is heartbreaking. I never would have imagined something like this. A 13-year-old child taking his mother’s life. It’s a very sad story.”
Adding to the mystery, authorities have yet to uncover a clear motive for the crime. Rodriguez noted, “There’s something that we’re still trying to figure out. He didn’t say why he did this. All he did was call 911 and advise what he did.”
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Garcia’s grieving husband and newborn daughter. The campaign organizer, a friend of Garcia, describes her as a “beautiful person both inside and out” who was “always so warm and kind.”
To shed light on the psychological aspects of this case, forensic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober offered his insights. Addressing the chilling demeanor of the 911 call, Dr. Bober explains, “He sounded like a child because he is a child, and his brain doesn’t have the same hardware as an adult.”
He elaborates by explaining the developmental differences between a child’s brain and an adult brain. “If you break the brain up into two systems, we have what’s called social-emotional control, which develops much quicker than what we call cognitive control,” he says. “So in a child that age, you have the gas without the brakes.”
This lack of cognitive control, Dr. Bober explains, means a child’s brain struggles to grasp the long-term consequences of their actions, exercise restraint, or fully weigh options. This can lead to emotionally driven decisions and an inability to control impulses in the same way adults do.
When questioned about the appropriateness of charging Rosa as an adult, Dr. Bober cites the landmark Supreme Court case Roper v. Simmons. This case addressed the culpability of minors compared to adults, concluding that they should not be held to the same standard.
Dr. Bober acknowledges the need for consequences but emphasizes the importance of considering Rosa’s developmental stage. He states, “I do think that there has to be some consequences here, but I don’t think you could look at him through the same lens that you would look at an adult who committed this crime.”
The act of photographing the crime scene and sharing the images with a friend further complicates the case. However, Dr. Bober cautions against interpreting this as a sign of callous disregard. “Actually, some people would say that it’s the opposite,” he explains. “It’s not like he’s trying to conceal the crime. He’s trying to show it to his friends.”
He suggests that Rosa might not fully grasp the gravity of his actions, drawing a comparison to a child who spills something on the carpet versus taking a life. “I think he doesn’t realize the finality of that, and that’s what I’m talking about in the difference of how he sees the world versus an adult,” Dr. Bober concludes.
While acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime, Dr. Bober expresses hope that Rosa will not be tried as an adult. He stresses the importance of considering the scientific understanding of brain development and the potential for rehabilitation.
Addressing the possibility of a motive, Dr. Bober acknowledges the lack of concrete information. However, he suggests that seemingly insignificant events can trigger extreme reactions in individuals, particularly children, who lack the emotional regulation and coping mechanisms of adults. He cautions that whatever the trigger may have been, it likely appears “silly” on the surface but held immense weight in Rosa’s perception.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Bober reveals he has encountered similar cases, highlighting the complexities of juvenile crime and the ongoing debate surrounding appropriate consequences and rehabilitation.
When asked about the best course of action for Rosa’s future, Dr. Bober emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation. “I do think there is rehabilitative potential here,” he states. He argues that placing Rosa in the adult prison system would offer limited opportunities for growth and reform, potentially leading to further damage.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, searching for answers and hoping for justice for Arena Garcia while also considering the fate of a young boy who committed an unspeakable act. The case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of juvenile crime and the ongoing need for understanding and compassion in the face of such unimaginable events.
