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Written by: E. George
Published August 14, 2024 @ 11:55 AM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged physical violence against children.
Update #2: A Gwinnett County judge has declared a mistrial in the high-profile case involving Cledir Barros, who faced charges related to the tragic death of his eight-year-old daughter. The decision comes after a jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict following intense deliberations.
Cledir Barros, 37, was accused of child cruelty after his daughter, Sayra Barros, was allegedly beaten to death with a rolling pin by his wife, Natiela Barros, earlier this year. According to reports, the charges against Cledir Barros were centered around accusations that he delayed seeking medical help for his daughter after she lost consciousness from the suspected abuse.
The case garnered significant attention as it unfolded in court. Arguments concluded on Friday, and the jury began deliberations, which extended over the weekend.
Despite the jury’s efforts, including re-examining body camera footage and listening to 911 calls, they remained deadlocked, prompting Superior Court Judge Karen Beyers to declare a mistrial on Monday.
The tragic incident reportedly began on January 30, when Sayra Barros was at home with her stepmother. Sayra, who was homeschooled due to behavioral issues, had reportedly been punished earlier in the day by Natiela Barros for a minor infraction. The situation escalated when Natiela Barros used a rolling pin to beat Sayra, who suffered severe injuries.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services reported that Sayra, after initially surviving the beating, became unresponsive. Despite her condition deteriorating, Natiela Barros did not immediately call for emergency help but instead contacted Cledir Barros, the girl’s father. Cledir Barros instructed his wife to pray and only sought medical assistance after spending 10 to 20 minutes praying over his unconscious daughter.
Initially indicted on charges of second-degree murder, Cledir Barros saw this charge dropped during the trial. The jury was left to decide on the remaining charges of two counts of second-degree cruelty to children. With the mistrial declared, it is not yet known if the state will proceed with a new trial. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Natalia is charged with felony murder and child cruelty, but she has not yet gone to trial.
A new jury is anticipated to be seated on August 29, right before Labor Day weekend.
Update #1: The lead detective involved in the murder case revealed details about the crime during a preliminary hearing in a Gwinnett County courtroom on Friday, February 23, 2024. Detective Angela Carter of the Gwinnett County Police Homicide Unit disclosed to the judge that the juvenile victim’s parents believed she was experiencing possession by demons.
Regarding the reason for their belief, Carter said, “She had demons due to being born out of wedlock.” Carter stated that after the attack, the girl’s stepmother, Natiela Monica Barros, called her husband, Cledir Barros, who instructed her to pray and that he was heading home to the crime scene.
According to Cledir’s attorney, Tracy Drake, he had directed his wife to stop abusing his daughter. Drake said Cledir told her to cease corporal punishment.
After hearing testimonies, Chief Magistrate Court Judge Kristina Bloom decided sufficient evidence existed to transfer the case to a superior court.
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, first responders arrived at a Vine Springs Trace home in Bethlehem to find an eight-year-old female, Sayra Barros, deceased. Originally listed as a suspicious death, details emerged leading to the arrest of the girl’s stepmother and biological father.
An investigation revealed that the victim’s stepmother, 34-year-old Natiela Monica Barros, while home alone with Sayra, allegedly beat her to death with a wooden rolling pin. Angry with the child, she hit her 10-20 times on multiple areas of her body, including the “top back of her neck.”
After the attack, she failed to call 911; instead, she called the child’s father, 37-year-old Cledir Mendes Barros. He came home, contacted 911, and began CPR.
Officers arrested Natiela Wednesday morning and charged her with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and first-degree child cruelty. She appeared in court just hours later and told the judge she was a stay-at-home mom.
Her arrest warrant stated she “beat the victim with a wooden rolling pin 10-20 times, refusing to get her medical care afterward, and the incident resulted in her death.”
The judge stated, “Bond has been denied on two of these. It says you’re a danger to somebody. You’re going to be here for a while.”
Cledir was also charged with felony second-degree murder and felony second-degree child cruelty.
His arrest warrant stated that he “was aware the child was abused and continued to leave them unsupervised with the abuser. When made aware the child was having a medical emergency, [he] did not seek medical care. The child died as a result of this negligence.”
He stood before a Gwinnett County judge on Thursday morning and was denied bond.
This case is pending in court.