The Pembroke Pines Police Department, in Broward County, has released the audio of the 911 call made by a relative of Jerónimo Durán, the Cuban man accused of killing his two-year-old daughter this week. The call captures Durán’s grandmother in a state of complete desperation as she tries to report the emergency to a dispatcher.
Due to her difficulty expressing herself in English, the dispatcher requests assistance from an interpreter. The dispatcher repeatedly asks about the situation, but the elderly woman can only emphasize the urgent need for help.
"The girl was here and suddenly she's unconscious, she's pale," the woman is heard saying. "The girl is pale, please help," she implores during the call. "I just arrived, miss, send an ambulance, I need something quickly. The girl is unconscious," she repeats to the interpreter. The woman then confirms that paramedics have arrived at the house, and the dispatcher ends the call.
The Pembroke Pines Police reported that officers and firefighters responded to a residence located at 404 Southwest 177th Avenue at 9:42 a.m. on May 29th, following a report of a "domestic incident," and found the girl with a neck injury.
The child was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital, but tragically, she died despite all efforts to save her life. Sergeant Jason Palant explained that the girl had a laceration on her throat and that investigators found a knife they believe was used in the crime. However, he added that the medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
When questioned about the elderly woman who made the emergency call, Sergeant Palant explained that she arrived just as the child was being attacked. "According to the information we have so far, she arrived at the residence and saw the suspect on top of the two-year-old girl and noticed that the child appeared not to be breathing, at which point she called 911," Palant clarified.
Jerónimo Durán appeared in court on Thursday morning and was denied bail for the murder charge and given a $500,000 bond for the child abuse charge. Walking slowly, shackled and handcuffed, he listened to the charges without saying a word. Durán's defense invoked his right to remain silent during the hearing.
Authorities stated that the child’s parents shared custody, and on Tuesday morning, Durán picked up his daughter and took her to his home. Public records reveal that Durán was involved in a paternity dispute. The child's mother had requested sole custody, citing Durán's mental health issues.
In March, the couple reached an agreement approved by a judge. Durán was scheduled to appear in court, but the hearing was postponed for medical reasons. The couple had been together since 2013 until March of the previous year, when the mother moved out with their baby, then 15 months old, citing in court documents that Durán was "erratic, aggressive, violent, and dangerous" for her and their daughter.
Key Facts About the Pembroke Pines Tragedy
In light of the recent tragedy in Pembroke Pines involving the alleged murder of a two-year-old girl by her father, here are some important questions and answers that provide more context and details.
Who made the 911 call in the Pembroke Pines case?
The 911 call was made by the grandmother of Jerónimo Durán, who was in a state of desperation while reporting the emergency.
What did the police find at the scene?
Police found the two-year-old girl with a neck injury at a residence on Southwest 177th Avenue. A knife believed to be used in the crime was also discovered.
What was the outcome of Jerónimo Durán's court appearance?
Jerónimo Durán was denied bail for the murder charge and given a $500,000 bond for the child abuse charge. He remained silent during the court proceedings.
What background information is available about the custody dispute?
The child's mother had requested sole custody, citing Durán's mental health issues. The couple had been together since 2013 until March of the previous year. They reached a custody agreement in March, approved by a judge.