A Georgia couple accused of beating their 8-year-old daughter, then waiting to seek medical attention are now charged in her death, according to officials.
A grand jury indicted Natiela Barros, 34, and Cledir Mendes Barros, 37, on charges of murder and child cruelty in connection with the Jan. 30 killing of Sayra Barros, the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office said in an April 25 news release.
“These defendants were supposed to protect and care for (her),” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said in a statement. “No child deserves the treatment that Sayra was exposed to, and our SVU team will work diligently to ensure that these defendants face justice for what they did.”
EMS officials responded to a medical emergency at the family’s home in Bethlehem just after 2:15 p.m. that day, McClatchy News previously reported, citing police. By the time officers arrived, medics determined the girl was dead.
Prosecutors said Natiela Barros, Sayra’s stepmother, got angry with her for playing with her breakfast and not doing her schoolwork. After an initial spanking, Barros grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen and hit Sayra “between 10 and 20 times” near the back of her neck, officials said.
Barros called her husband, Cledir Mendes Barros, who is Sayra’s father. He was at work at the time and returned home when he learned what happened, according to the DA’s office. Natiela Barros also called a friend and a priest, prosecutors said.
Cledir Mendes Barros told his wife to pray over the girl after she became ill and fell unconscious, officials said. Once he arrived, they continued praying over Sayra for 10 to 20 minutes before calling 911, prosecutors said.
Natiela Barros is charged with malice murder, aggravated assault, child cruelty and two counts of felony murder, officials said.
Cledir Mendes Barros faces charges of second-degree murder and two counts of child cruelty.
Both remain in the Gwinnett County Jail without bond, authorities said.
Lawrenceville is about a 30-mile drive northeast from downtown Atlanta.
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