MIAMI (TCN) — An alleged stalker is in custody on suspicion of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend after authorities responded to a report of a toddler walking around a parking lot.
On April 26, shortly before 4 p.m., a woman flagged down a deputy with the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office and reported that her 3-year-old granddaughter was wandering around her residential complex. A neighbor recognized the toddler and brought her back to her grandmother’s home. The child reportedly had dried blood on her face and clothes at the time.
Deputies responded to the child’s residence and tried to find her mother, 24-year-old Maria Garcia-Molina, but she wasn’t home. Authorities searched the area and located Garcia-Molina inside her vehicle deceased with apparent stab wounds.
According to an arrest report reviewed by WFOR-TV, investigators noticed blood on the front passenger seat and discovered Garcia-Molina covered in blankets on the back floorboard.
Garcia-Molina was reportedly last seen leaving her home at approximately 12:30 p.m. with her daughter. The toddler was not harmed and allegedly said her mother was struck in the head “and was now sleeping.” Garcia-Molina was reportedly with her ex-boyfriend, 29-year-old Joy Nath, who investigators later identified as the primary suspect in her death.
Per the arrest report, family members claimed Nath had a history of stalking Garcia-Molina, who had previously obtained a temporary restraining order against the suspect. Relatives alleged that Nath had recently confronted Garcia-Molina and her new boyfriend at Dolphin Mall.
According to WFOR, while officials investigated the crime scene, Nath returned with scratches and bruises on his face, neck, and arms, and claimed he was returning some of Garcia-Molina’s belongings.
Investigators searched Nath’s car and allegedly found his ex’s purse, cellphone, and different forms of ID. Digital evidence revealed that Garcia-Molina’s phone had reportedly traveled from her home to Nath’s residence and back to where her body was discovered.
Nath remains held in the Miami-Dade County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse without great bodily harm.