GWINNETT COUNTY, Georgia. – The jury is deliberating in the trial of a father accused in the death of his daughter. Cledir Barros was charged with child abuse after police accused his wife of beating his 8-year-old daughter Sayra to death. After three and a half hours of deliberation on Friday, the judge sent the jury home for the weekend. They will resume deliberations on Monday at 9 a.m.

Before the jury deliberated on Friday, both sides presented their closing arguments in court.

According to police, Sayra was at home with her stepmother, 34-year-old Natalia Barros, in January when Natalia beat and killed the 8-year-old with a rolling pin.

Prosecutors argued that Barros knew about previous cases of abuse but still left his daughter at home with his wife.

“This happened because of her father. Her father should have protected her, loved her, cared for her, valued her at least as much as he valued his wife and, frankly, more,” Assistant District Attorney Wanda Vance said in her closing argument.

However, the defense said he had no knowledge of any abuse because he was often on the road as a truck driver. The lawyers pointed to the testimony of one of his and Natalia’s daughters earlier in the week, who claimed her mother had lied.

“Could he have been in the dark that long? Absolutely, he’s there one day a week,” said defense attorney Tracy Drake.

“He may be a religious fanatic. You may even think he’s a little nutcase when he talks about demons and spiritual forces, but that’s okay; you can’t judge him for that,” she added.

Barros had previously reached an agreement with the public prosecutor so that he would only be charged with child abuse.

Natalia is accused of murder and child abuse in connection with the death of her stepdaughter. Cledir testified his innocence on Thursday.