MIAMI (Court TV) — A 15-year-old boy accused of killing his mother reacted visibly in court as videos and audio evidence were played during a hearing on Jan. 5, 2026.
Derek Rosa, who had just turned 13 when the incident occurred, is charged with the first-degree murder of his mother, Irina Garcia, in their Hialeah home on Oct. 12, 2023. He has pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, Rosa held his ears and squirmed in his seat while a recording of his 911 call was played. In the call, Rosa reported the murder himself:
“Miss, I shot my mom. My mom died… She was sleeping and I stabbed her in the throat and in the back.”
Defense attorneys argued that Rosa’s juvenile status and immaturity at the time of the murder should prevent statements he made to police—including an apparent confession—from being admitted at trial. They highlighted his difficulty providing basic information, such as his address, during the call.
On the 911 call, Rosa said:
“I didn’t want to be here no more. I didn’t want to be alive no more. She’s dead. I stabbed her. I stabbed her more than five times.”
Detective Joseph Elosegui, who responded to the scene, testified that Garcia suffered multiple stab wounds, including one just 1mm from her carotid artery.
Prosecutors countered that Rosa was properly advised of his rights. Bodycam footage showed Det. Elosegui reviewing the Miranda warnings line by line, with Rosa reading them back.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Richard Hersch denied the defense’s motion to suppress Rosa’s statements, ruling that his admissions would be admissible at trial.
Rosa’s case continues as the court prepares for the upcoming murder trial.
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