POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 28-year-old Bartow woman is facing murder charges in the death of a four-month old girl. 


What You Need To Know

  • Polk woman charged in death of 4-month-old
  • Samantha Mariel Angeles-De La Rosa charged with 2nd degree murder
  • DeLa Roda was caring for unidentified child at her home
  • Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873

Samantha Mariel Angeles-De La Rosa is facing one count of second degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse in the death of the infant, who was in her care. 

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the woman's home just before 10 p.m. Tuesday to find the infant unresponsive.

The child was pronounced dead about an hour later after being taken to Winter Haven Hospital. Authorities have not released the name of the child.

Authorities said the baby had multiple bruises on her body, head, and face. 

Deputies said Angeles-De La Rosa told them that a 21-month-old toddler in the home pulled the victim off of a changing table and onto the floor, causing the injuries.

 

 

Samantha Mariel Angeles-De La Rosa is facing one count of second degree murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse in the death of the infant, who was in her care. (Polk County Jail)

Officials said she continued to tell versions of the story to detectives investigating the death, including saying that the toddler had been "rough" with the victim previously, using toys to hit the baby in the face.

An autopsy revealed that the victim had a fractured skull which produced a brain bleed along with contusions on the outside of the brain. 

After the autopsy, detectives interviewed Angeles again. 

Later in the interview she admitted that the morning of the incident, she began to change the baby's diaper, but the baby would not stop crying and Angeles immediately began thinking about "how overwhelmed she is in life." 

Authorities said Angeles stated that when the victim began crying, she also began to cry, and then "lost it in a split second." Angeles grabbed the victim by the shoulders and struck the victim's head two times "hard" against the wood frame of the changing table. 

“There is absolutely no excuse to hurt a baby," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd.  "We will hold this woman accountable for her actions. If anyone caring for a child is feeling overwhelmed or out of control, please seek help from family, friends, clergy, or a social services agency. Get help. If anyone has direct knowledge of anyone hurting a child, report it to your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.”