OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A mother is facing a premeditated murder charge in the death of her 4-year-old daughter who was found at a resort near Celebration in January, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said Wednesday the mother, Jacinda Marie Decaro, has been arrested on a homicide charge. Deputies said they found the 4-year-old Masiela Decaro dead at Star Island Resort & Club at 5000 Ave of the Stars and Decaro unconscious when a well-being check was performed on Jan. 10.
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The sheriff’s office said a woman was concerned about her daughter “who was having some type of crisis,” Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said during a news conference in January.
“The night of the murder, the suspect talked about suicide to several different people, told an ex-boyfriend that she didn’t want to live. She also FaceTimed another friend the same evening and talked about not wanting to be here,” Lopez said at a news conference Wednesday.
Officials said security at the resort entered the room and found Decaro and the 4-year-old unresponsive on the bed.
“The doors were all locked from the inside when we attempted to make contact with all parties,” Lopez said. “Tylenol and liquid Benadryl were on the nightstand.”
Deputies said the girl was pronounced dead at the scene and Decaro, who had a faint pulse, was taken to the hospital.
Lopez said the medical examiner’s office ruled the 4-year-old’s death an “intentional poisoning.”
“Today we tried to question her, just to see what was her intentions or her mindset. She didn’t want to talk,” Lopez said Wednesday. “So we don’t know what was going through her mind or what she felt or what she meant by doing what she did ... All I know is that there’s a little girl who lost her life ... if she wanted to take her own life, she could have. She didn’t have to include this 4-year-old who hasn’t even begun to live.”
Jacinda Decaro Is being held on no bond at the Oscoela county jail. She’s scheduled to face her charges before a judge Thursday afternoon.
The girl’s father, Jorge Ezequiel, said she would have turned 5 in August.
“My baby was smart. She was my little girl and unfortunately, it’s sad that it had to be her,” Ezequiel said. “It’s not much I can say. I just wish I really knew what was going on with her mom.”
Ezequiel said he and his child’s mother are separated, though he referred to her as one of the strongest women he knows.
“My daughter didn’t deserve this,” said Ezequiel.
However, he said he forgave Decaro.
“As much as I’m bothered and I’m really hurt that she killed our girl, I do forgive her,” he said.