Man Formally Charged In Death Of Teen Found Near Dumpster
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SWEETWATER (CBSMiami) -- A 66-year old man has been formally charged in the death of a teen who was found, on fire, next to a dumpster in the city of Sweetwater.
Miami-Dade Police arrested Armando Botell on May 8th and charged him with second degree murder in the death of 17-year old Romina Fernandez.
In October 2014, her body was found next to a dumpster behind a strip mall a few blocks from her home. Just hours before, her parents had reported her missing.
Friends told family that the night she disappeared, Fernandez called them and told them in Spanish she could not be friends with them anymore and she was moving to New York with a man.
Her mother later received a letter in the mail with her daughter's handwriting, saying "Hola Mami. I'm OK. I'm going to New York with a friend. He bought me food and my medicine. Don't worry. I'll call you in a month."
Fernandez was suffering from diabetes.
According to Botell's arrest report " he had been selling and providing the victim with Xanax and other drugs since the victim was 15-years old."
A witness told police Botell had become obsessed with the victim and was becoming emotionally distraught.
Police said it was still unclear if he may have abducted her or is she went with him on her own free will.
Botell's next hearing is set for August 27th.