A Georgia couple has been arrested on murder charges over the shocking death of their 8-year-old daughter, who was hit up to 20 times with a wooden rolling pin.
Police were called to a home in Bethlehem’s Vine Springs area Tuesday afternoon after emergency personnel found the girl dead. WANF reported.
Sayla Barros’ stepmother, Natiera Barros, 34, and her father, Credir Mendez Barros, 37, were arrested on multiple charges, including murder and child abuse. According to Fox 5 Atlanta.
“[Natiela] “He struck the victim 10 to 20 times with a wooden rolling pin and refused further medical treatment, resulting in her death,” WANF reported in the arrest warrant.
The stepmother called her husband, who returned home and found the girl unresponsive, police said, adding that he called 911 and began CPR.
Natiera became enraged with Sayla and punched her on various parts of her body, including “the upper part of the back of her neck,” Fox 5 reported.
She appeared before a Gwinnett County judge Wednesday on charges of felony murder, malicious murder, aggravated assault and first-degree cruelty to children.
“You’re going to be here for a while,” the judge said, denying any bond with Nateria, who described herself as a stay-at-home mom.
The girl’s father was charged with second-degree felony murder and second-degree child abuse. Details about the charges were not immediately available.
Neighbors in the small community northeast of Atlanta were stunned by the shocking crime.
One resident, who requested anonymity, said he believed the family had four children.
“I never saw any violence coming from that family or that home,” the woman told FOX 5.
