Derek Rosa, the 15-year-old convicted of murdering his mother Irina Garcia in Hialeah in 2023, arrives at Suwannee Correctional Institution in northern Florida after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
The state Department of Corrections confirms the transfer from Metro West in Miami-Dade with a projected release date of October 2048. Rosa faces 25 years in prison plus 20 years of probation with mandatory psychological therapy and a ban on contact with his stepfather or sister. He called 911 to confess to the crime at age 13 in a case that has shocked the community for two years.
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Relocation to North Florida
Prison authorities will transfer Derek Rosa to Suwannee, a facility for adults with a specific juvenile wing. Official documents show his custody status as ‘pending’ in light of possible future relocation. A new photograph reveals his shaved head upon formal entry into the state correctional system. Rosa will serve the sentence agreed upon weeks ago, which avoids a full trial for premeditated murder.
The Department of Corrections establishes high-risk protocols for the teenager. The García family is shocked by the distant transfer from the sunny south. The Hialeah community follows the evolution of the case that began in the family apartment. Rosa goes from a temporary centre to a permanent structured prison routine.
The Guilty Plea Agreement Details Sentence
Miami-Dade Prosecutor’s Office agrees to 25 years in prison plus 20 years probation with ongoing mental health treatment. Rosa waives lengthy defence alleging alternative theory of fatal crime. Judge imposes no contact with Frank Ramos, stepfather present, or baby witness to multiple stabbing. Teenager writes thank-you letter to defenders after formal acceptance of serious charges.
Legal proceedings conclude initial phase with immediate transfer following trial. Rosa avoids juvenile life imprisonment through timely strategic negotiation. The maternal family receives partial closure after years of intense media coverage. State of Florida prioritises rehabilitation over punishment for convicted minor.
Chronology of the Crime
- October 2023: Rosa, 13 years old, stabs Irina García and calls 911 confessing.
- Immediate arrest: Recorded interrogation confirms direct authorship of the homicide.
- 2024-2025: Defenders seek juvenile transfers and rejected alternative evidence.
- February 2026: Pleads guilty, 25 years + 20 conditional, transfer to Suwannee.
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Derek Rosa begins adult stage in Suwannee with a possible location change pending. Department of Corrections oversees strict compliance with court-ordered therapy. The Latino community of Hialeah processes the distant transfer of juvenile defendant. The case sets a precedent in lesser sentences for completed violent parricide.
