At a Glance
- Derek Rosa, 15, admitted to murdering his mother Elina Garcia in her sleep at age 13
- He received 25 years in prison plus 20 years probation after pleading guilty to second-degree murder
- After the killing, Rosa took selfies with his blood-covered hands and sent photos of the corpse to a friend
- Why it matters: The case highlights how juvenile offenders face adult consequences for extreme violence
Derek Rosa, now 15, accepted a plea deal that puts him behind bars until at least age 40 for the 2023 murder of his mother in their Hialeah apartment.
The Night of the Murder
On October 12, 2023, Rosa attacked 39-year-old Elina Garcia as she slept, inflicting 46 stab wounds. Garcia’s newborn daughter lay nearby but survived unharmed.
Rosa then documented the crime:
- Took photos of his mother’s corpse
- Snapped a selfie with his hand drenched in blood
- Texted the images to a friend, who initially believed it was a joke
According to a motion obtained by News Of Los Angeles, the friend later shifted “between shock and disbelief” upon realizing the photos were real.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Rosa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on January 16 and received:
| Component | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prison sentence | 25 years |
| Probation | 20 years |
| Youthful offender camp | Until age 21 |
Defense attorney Dayliset Rielo told News Of Los Angeles Rosa will stay in a youthful offender facility until adulthood, then transfer to the Department of Corrections for the remainder of his sentence.
“I don’t think that children belong in the adult system but I think all things considered, it was a strategic deal,” Rielo said.
911 Confession
Immediately after the attack, Rosa called 911 and confessed to an operator. Prosecutors say he admitted the killing again to detectives.
“With today’s guilty plea Derek Rosa admitted what he had previously told a 911 operator and what he had confessed to police detectives, that he murdered his mother,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement.
She emphasized the “pain Elina Garcia suffered from the 46 stab wounds could only have been surpassed by the knowledge that the person killing her was her own son.”
Family Impact
During sentencing, stepfather Frank Ramos addressed Rosa directly:
“We were a very close-knit family. Your mom was a loving mother… Her death destroyed our family and changed our lives forever.”
Ramos told Rosa he was “like a son” to him.
Rosa expressed remorse in court, saying simply, “I’m sorry.”
Rielo added that Rosa “is thankful to everyone that supported him and still supports him.”
Pop Culture Obsession
Rosa allegedly fixated on Jason Voorhees, the masked killer from the Friday the 13th horror series. Amanda S. Bennett reported, citing the motion, that Rosa told friends he planned to dress as Jason for Halloween.
Prosecutors argued this fascination demonstrated premeditation and an interest in violence.
Final Words
Fernandez Rundle concluded that by taking his mother’s life, Rosa “also stole so much of his own future.”
Key Takeaways
- A 13-year-old’s obsession with horror imagery preceded a real-life killing
- Juvenile offenders can face decades in adult prison for severe crimes
- The plea deal averts a trial while ensuring Rosa remains incarcerated until at least 2050
- Family members grapple with permanent loss and the betrayal of trust
