In a grim turn of events, a father and his wife were arrested and charged with the murder of an 8-year-old girl in Gwinnett County, authorities said. Cledir Mendes Barros, 37, and Natiela Barros, 34, are currently being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail, facing several charges including felony murder.
According to Gwinnett County Jail records acquired by FOX 5 Atlanta, the couple was apprehended on Wednesday night. The investigation began when the Gwinnett County Police responded to their home on Vine Springs Trace in Bethlehem and found the child unresponsive. Cledir, upon returning home and discovering his daughter's condition, attempted to unsuccessfully give CPR before calling 911. However, the authorities now believe Cledir "was aware the child was abused and continued to leave them unsupervised with the abuser," and "did not seek to promptly get medical care" upon learning of her medical emergency, as stated in his arrest warrant.
Natiela Barros is facing charges including first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and malice murder, after the arrest warrant revealed a harrowing detail. "Natiela Barros beat the victim with a wooden rolling pin 10-20 times, refusing to get her medical care afterward," Atlanta News First reported. This brutal act resulted in the child's death. Her husband, Cledir Mendes Barros, faces charges of second-degree cruelty to a child and second-degree felony murder.
During court proceedings, Natiela Barros described herself as a stay-at-home mom when inquired about her employment status. Meanwhile, Cledir in his hearing was advised by the judge, "One has been denied saying you’re a flight risk. The other is Superior Court only - only a Superior Court judge sitting in your case can grant bond. Do you know what that means for you? You’re going to be here for a while," signaling the gravity of the charges they face. These details emerged as neighbors expressed shock at the unfolding events, recalling the family's presence within the community as seemingly nonviolent, a sentiment echoed in the report by FOX 5 Atlanta.
