🚨 BETWEEN CONDEMNATION AND GRIEF: Grandmother of Derek Rosa breaks silence after his guilty plea for mur-dering his mother – “I love her… and I raised him. They are two different loves” 😢⚖️

In the heart of South Florida, a family torn apart forever: 13-year-old Derek Rosa (now 15) stabbed his mom Irina Garcia 46 times while she slept next to her newborn baby in their Hialeah apartment back in 2023. He confessed on 911, took a bloody selfie… then suddenly pleaded guilty to…

In the aftermath of one of South Florida’s most disturbing cases, Isabel Acosta, the maternal grandmother of Derek Rosa, has given her first extensive public interview following her grandson’s guilty plea and sentencing for the 2023 murder of her daughter, Irina Garcia.

Derek Rosa, now 15, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a weapon in January 2026, days before his trial was set to begin in Miami-Dade County court. He was sentenced to 25 years in Florida state prison followed by 20 years of probation. The plea deal avoided a potential first-degree murder conviction and life sentence for the then-13-year-old, who was tried as an adult.

The crime occurred on October 12, 2023, in the family’s Hialeah apartment. Rosa stabbed his 39-year-old mother more than 46 times with a kitchen knife while she slept in her bedroom. A newborn daughter – Rosa’s half-sister – was in a nearby crib and unharmed. Rosa called 911 himself, confessing to the act, and police later recovered evidence including a bloody selfie he allegedly took at the scene.

In interrogation footage later played in court, Rosa admitted to the stabbing, describing how he considered taking his own life afterward but changed his mind. Prosecutors portrayed the killing as premeditated, citing Rosa’s interest in horror and gore, though the defense highlighted his age and potential mental health factors.

Acosta, Garcia’s mother, spoke exclusively to Telemundo 51 in February 2026, days after the sentencing. In her modest apartment, a photo of Irina hangs prominently above a small table adorned with flowers, a perpetual lamp, and an urn containing her daughter’s ashes. Acosta described the dual grief she carries: profound loss for her daughter and unwavering love for the grandson she helped raise.

“Son dos amores distintos,” Acosta said in Spanish, translated as “They are two different loves.” She explained, “Yo la amo a ella… y a él lo he criado” – “I love her… and I raised him.” She called Derek her “forever angel” and “like another son,” insisting she cannot help her feelings despite public criticism. “Let them criticize me. I don’t care,” she stated. “You have to feel what I feel.”

Acosta revealed she has never asked Derek why he committed the act and, for now, does not want to know. She expressed ongoing pain that “will never pass,” torn between mourning Irina and supporting Derek, who she visits regularly. Family members, including Derek’s father, appeared emotional during the plea hearing, with some unable to hold back tears.

The case gripped Hialeah and South Florida since the initial 911 call and discovery. Garcia, a mother of two, was found in a pool of blood; the newborn was safely removed. Rosa’s age at the time sparked debate over juvenile justice, adult certification, and mental health interventions for troubled youth.

Prosecutors accepted the plea to ensure conviction without the risks of trial, where defense arguments about diminished capacity or psychological issues might have swayed jurors. Rosa apologized in court, saying “I’m sorry,” though details of motive remain limited publicly.

Acosta’s interview highlights the fractured family dynamic: unconditional grandmotherly love clashing with the horror of matricide. She defended her stance amid backlash, emphasizing Derek’s role in her life since childhood. Other relatives, including Garcia’s partner and father of the infant, expressed anger and devastation, with some confronting Rosa in court about destroying the family.

The tragedy has renewed discussions on teen violence, family mental health support, and the long-term impacts of domestic trauma. Hialeah, a working-class community, saw vigils and memorials for Garcia following the crime.

As Derek begins his sentence, Acosta continues visiting him, balancing her grief with hope for his future. She described the apartment’s memorial to Irina as a daily ritual of remembrance. The urn and photo serve as focal points for prayer and reflection.

Legal experts note that while the plea resolves the criminal case, civil or family matters – including custody of the surviving infant – may persist. Derek’s probation conditions upon release will likely include strict supervision, counseling, and restrictions.

For Acosta, the interview marks a rare public voice in a private nightmare. Her words capture the complexity of familial love in the face of unimaginable loss: two loves that cannot be reconciled, yet both endure. The pain, she says, is permanent, but so is her devotion to the grandson she still sees as her “angel.”

South Florida continues to process the case’s ripple effects, from community safety concerns to broader questions about youth mental health and accountability. As the family navigates life after the plea, Isabel Acosta’s candid reflections offer a poignant glimpse into grief that defies simple resolution.