Resumption of proceedings against father in connection with brutal death of his daughter

ATLANTA, Georgia (Atlanta News First) – Emotions ran high among witnesses in the retrial of Cledir Barros. Prosecutors say Cledir Barros is a father who bears some responsibility for the death of his eight-year-old daughter, Sayra.

“Sayra was very sweet and very friendly. She was very quiet. One of the quietest students in the class,” said Laura Herring, an elementary school teacher at Harbin.

Teachers described Sayra as a gifted student whose behavior suddenly changed before her death.

“She took pencils, snacks, little things. I think one day she took a dollar from my desk that was sitting on a cup,” Herring said.

According to investigators, on Jan. 30, stepmother Natiela Barros became angry with 8-year-old Sayra and allegedly hit her in the neck 10 to 20 times with a rolling pin. Natiela then called the girls' father, Cledir, at work. When he returned home, he allegedly prayed for Sayra for 10 to 20 minutes before calling 911.

“We were both worried that something might have happened to her,” Herring said.

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