LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia. – A father accused in the death of his daughter took the witness stand in his trial on Thursday. Cledir Barros is accused of child abuse and premeditated murder after police accused his wife of beating 8-year-old Sayra Barros to death. Prosecutors say the father did not do enough to protect his daughter.
Cledir Barros insisted he was not guilty. “We have no reason to hide anything from the police. I have never had any trouble with the police,” Barros testified. “I said I will come before you and declare my innocence.”
Police interrogation of Cledir Barros in the fatal beating case
On August 8, 2020, an interview was played in a Gwinnett County courtroom between Gwinnett County Police Detective Angela Carter and Cledir Barros, the father of an 8-year-old girl who was found beaten to death with a rolling pin.
The Gwinnett County father is on trial after police accused his wife of killing his daughter, Sayra Barros. Prosecutors allege Natiela Barros beat her stepdaughter with a rolling pin last January. They say Cledir Barros knew his wife was abusive to him, but he left the 8-year-old girl with her anyway.
When Barros took the stand on Thursday, he insisted he had no knowledge of any previous violence. “We do not abuse our children,” Barros said. “We have never abused the children in my presence.”
Cledir Barros testifies in death sentence trial
Cledir Barros, charged in connection with the beating death of his 8-year-old daughter, Sayra Barros, testified in his own defense in a Gwinnett County courtroom on August 8, 2024. The young girl’s stepmother, Natiela Barros, is accused of hitting her with a rolling pin.
His testimony became controversial at times. “Jury, if you’ll allow me, after this whole plan that…” he said, whereupon the judge cut him off.
“You may not address the jury directly, please answer the question,” Judge Karen Beyers instructed him.
“Mr Barros, it is time for you to answer the question and not to engage in an open-ended dialogue,” the judge added.
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During the trial for death by beating, the father’s emergency call was played
Cledir Barros’ 911 call reporting the death of his 8-year-old daughter on January 30, 2024, was played in a Gwinnett County courtroom after he testified in his own defense on August 8, 2024.
Prosecutors played an audio recording of the 911 call that documented the gruesome moments surrounding the little girl’s death.
“What is the emergency?” asked the dispatcher.
“My daughter just fainted, she is unresponsive,” Barros said.
“Is she breathing?” asked the dispatcher.
“No,” Barros replied.
Barros said his wife was not in her normal state of mind. “It got to the point where the stress became too much and she got to that point,” he said. “What she did was abuse, what she ultimately did was abuse.”
Natiela Barros (Gwinnett County Police Department)
Natiela Barros, who is accused of murder, is expected to testify in favor of her husband against the advice of her lawyer.
