US News
Published June 1, 2024 at 12:16 pm ET
Family members and paramedics desperately tried to save a 2-year-old Florida girl whose throat was allegedly slit by her father during a court-approved visit last week.
Jerónimo Durán, 33, picked up his daughter, Melody Alana Rose Durán, from his ex-girlfriend’s house early Tuesday morning and took her to the home he shares with his grandmother, according to an arrest report.
Grandma came home around 9:30 am to find a horrible scene in the kitchen.
Duran was allegedly lying face-to-face on top of the girl, who appeared blue and discolored, according to the Pembroke Pines Police Department arrest report.
Mona Rosita Clarke and Jeronimo Duran separated last year and were fighting over custody of their daughter, Melody Alana Rose Duran, according to reports. Jerónimo Durán/Facebook
“Get off,” his grandmother yelled in Spanish, according to detectives. “What are you doing?”
She called 911 and ran to her room, while Durán allegedly “stayed in the kitchen and made no comments, remaining silent,” according to the police report.
Screams could be heard in the background during the 911 call. Melody’s great-grandmother repeatedly screamed, “Oh my God.”
Paramedics arrived at the Pembroke Pines home shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday and transported little Melody Duran to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. KeynoteUSA6 Miami
Duran’s stepfather arrived on the scene shortly after and attempted to perform CPR on the young victim, administering chest compressions until paramedics arrived.
Sergio Cabañas, Durán’s neighbor and family law attorney, shared images of the dramatic response captured by his surveillance camera with KeynoteUSA 6.
Cabañas said she hoped the video would raise awareness about domestic violence.
Screams were heard from the house and the boy was eventually seen on a stretcher being carried to an ambulance.
Jerónimo Durán was arrested for the murder of his 2-year-old daughter at a home in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and faces first-degree murder. KeynoteUSA6 Miami
Melody was pronounced dead at Memorial Regional Hospital shortly before 10:30 am. Detectives observed a “large laceration” on her neck, according to documents on file at the Broward County Clerk’s Office.
A bloody steak knife was later found on the kitchen floor and Duran was covered in what appeared to be blood, according to police.
He was arrested and during an interview told detectives that he was taking medication for depression and had smoked marijuana that day. He also said that he was previously hospitalized for mental health issues.
Durán told investigators that he strangled his daughter until she was unconscious and slit her throat after her grandmother began calling for help.
Mona Rosita Clarke, left, had requested full custody of her daughter Melody, claiming Duran struggled with mental illness and had anger issues. Jerónimo Durán/Facebook
According to the report, he told investigators that he “screwed up” and “ruined his family.”
“This is a very tragic incident and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and right now we are just focusing on being able to bring justice to his family,” said Pembroke Pines Police Department Sgt. Jason Palant said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The first responders who tried to save the girl’s life were receiving counseling after the incident, he added.
A judge on Thursday ordered Durán held without bail on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.
He was seen in court wearing shackles and a protective vest to prevent inmates from getting hurt, KeynoteUSA 6 reported, and remained silent during the hearing.
Durán allegedly told investigators that he had previously been hospitalized for mental health issues and was taking medication for depression. Broward County Jail
Durán and Melody’s mother, Mona Rosita Clarke, were together for about 10 years before separating last year and a custody battle began over the girl, the Daily Mail reported.
Clarke requested full custody of Melody, detailing Duran’s struggle with mental illness, claiming he was paranoid, heard voices, had anger issues and used illicit drugs.
She claimed he was violent and aggressive toward her and Melody and even punched a family dog in the face, the outlet reported.
Clarke asked Duran to take a parenting course and have supervised visits, but in March the court granted him unsupervised visits, one of which was Melody on Tuesday.
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