Mother of murdered 2-year-old Pembroke Pines girl speaks out for first time at vigil in her honor
FORT LAUDERDALE — The grieving mother of a 2-year-old Pembroke Pines girl who police said was killed by her father is speaking out for the first time as she was honored at a vigil this weekend.
There were emotional moments Saturday night by the ocean at Hollywood's North Beach Park as Mona Rosita Clarke's supporters clutched white flowers that symbolized the innocence of her daughter, Melody Alana Rose Duran, as she tossed some pieces of those flowers into the water in tribute to her child.
Clarke and others wept as music was played while a montage of photographs of Melody were shown during the vigil. Born on Nov. 23, 2021, Melody would have been celebrating her third birthday this weekend.
"Melody was a light in our lives, radiating joy, laughter and love," her family stated in a press release about the vigil. "She loved to sing, dance and watch Ms. Rachel, spreading happiness to everyone she met."
Clarke spoke with CBS News Miami, saying that Melody was her "whole world."
"She was very sweet. She was very vibrant and caring," she said. "Today would have been her 3rd birthday. She was my Thanksgiving baby. It has been very difficult not having her around. She meant a lot to me. She was my everything."
"I am just very grateful that all these supporters are here. They have meant a lot to me," Clarke continued. "They have had my back since day one. I don't know what I would have done without them."
When asked how she's managed to move forward, Clarke said the process has been "day by day."
"I am still trying but it is not easy," she said.
Clarke and Jeronimo Duran, 33, had been separated before Melody's death but she said he had unsupervised visitation with her, even though she repeatedly warned people that he had mental health issues.
"He was very unstable," Clarke said. "I feel angry about it. They could have done things differently. They should listen to all mothers and not believe everything the other party is saying."
Police said Melody died at the home of Duran's grandmother and that she had a gash in her neck. Duran is currently facing first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse charges for allegedly killing his toddler daughter Melody Alana Rose Duran on May 28.
Mysel Bickham, with the Florida nonprofit Families Against Court Travesties, Inc. (FACTS), called for reforms and more attention to tragic stories like this one.
"We are here to bring attention to the need for systemic changes that need to happen in family court," she said. "It is unbelievable that something like this can happen."
FACTS stood alongside Clarke and her community at the vigil, saying Melody's death highlights the "critical failures in mental health care and the family court system."
"Despite her mother's repeated warnings about his unstable mental health and concerning behavior, the court granted [Duran] unsupervised visitation," FACTS stated in the press release. "Melody's father fought tirelessly through a protracted custody battle, but systemic shortcomings failed to protect [Melody]."
Melody's murder
Before Melody's death, Pembroke Pines Police said that Duran had brought his daughter to his grandmother's home at SW 117 Ave. 4th Ct. It was there where Melody was killed.
On the morning of May 28, Duran was seen on video arriving at his grandmother's home. Hours later, a police officer and paramedics rush into the home.
Pembroke Pines Police said Duran's grandmother had discovered him on top of his daughter when she came home and called 911. Police released the call, in which the grandmother is heard pleading for help.
"I think the girl is unconscious," she said in Spanish. "I don't know what is going on. The girl is pale and not reacting."
Melody was rushed to the hospital, where she died.
Pembroke Pines Police Sgt. Jason Palant told CBS News Miami at the time that a knife believed to be used during the incident was found at the home and that Melody had "lacerations to her throat."
"Through our investigation, detectives determined that Jeronimo Duran, the child's father, was the primary suspect and detectives were able to establish probable cause for first-degree murder," he said.
Palant told CBS News Miami that Melody's parents did not have a parenting plan to allow for time-sharing.
In May 2023 court filings, Clarke had asked for full custody of Melody and asked that Duran be drug tested and have a psychological evaluation, along with taking an eight-week parenting course and that a guardian ad litem be appointed to the child.
At the time of the incident, police did not said whether there were previous calls to the home at the time of the murder nor could they confirm that Duran had mental health problems. Additionally, they said there is no known motive.
"This is a very tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family of the victim and we want justice for the family," he said.