GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Jury selection has begun for the third trial against a Gwinnett County father who is charged in connection with his 8-year-old daughter's death.
Cledir Barros faces second-degree child cruelty charges in his daughter Sayra Barros's death. His wife, Natiela Barros, is facing murder charges in the case. The district attorney accused Natiela, Sayra's stepmother, of beating her to death with a rolling pin because she was playing with food instead of doing her homework.
Two separate juries could not decide to convict Cledir Barros, leading to deadlocked juries. The judge agreed to declare a mistrial in both trials.
Gwinnett County Police accused Cledir Barros of knowing about a pattern of abuse in the home but failing to report it.
Barros took the stand during his second trial, saying he did not know about any abuse because he was a truck driver and was only home two days a week.
The 8-year-old was under the stepmother's care and homeschooled at the time of the incident. Cledir testified during the previous trial, where he stated that Sayra was pulled out of school for behavioral issues.
Cledir Barros testified that on the day of the incident, he was on the road driving his truck when he got a phone call from the stepmother that his daughter was "gone" and that she was going to harm herself.
In the first trial, Cledir Barros was questioned several times about his response to the incident and why he did not call 911 as soon as he learned about his daughter's death.
Opening statements are expected on Tuesday; the trial could be wrapped up early next week.