SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested and charged a woman in the investigation of a dead girl found in a Southwest Miami-Dade dumpster.
Thirty-one-year-old Tina Farrington faced a judge Monday afternoon.
According to Miami-Dade Police, Farrington confessed to murdering her daughter, 4-year-old Tania Paige, and will face a first-degree murder charge.
Paige is also the daughter of Miami Beach Police officer Leon Paige.
Just after 10:30 a.m., Monday, police released details of the incident. On Oct. 31, police said Farrington was with her two children, including Paige. Farrington heard Paige talking back to her, which officials said made Farrington upset.
Moments later, police said, Farrington lured Paige and her brother to her bedroom. Farrington then used a pillow to suffocate Paige.
Police said Farrington later stored Paige’s remains in the trunk of her 2013 Nissan Altima for several days until she noticed an odor. On Sunday, at around 1 a.m., Farrington removed Paige’s remains from the trunk and threw them in the dumpster.
According to an arrest report, Paige was found riddled with bruises. Court records show that the family has had a history of domestic violence disputes and a hearing was scheduled for Tuesday.
Miami Beach Police said that the victim’s father has asked for privacy as he and his department mourn the tragic loss.
“Never in my right mind did I think my trash went on top of a 4-year-old,” said neighbor Dahriana Correa, “so that was tough that morning. It’s shocking.”
Monday evening, dozens of neighbors gathered in prayer by candlelight for a memorial where the child’s body was discovered.
Another unnamed neighbor said they remember the screaming heard around the time of the alleged murder. “All you hear is the baby screaming and her mom screaming. Then, all of a sudden you just see her come down the stairs, handcuffed. She was like OK, as if nothing was happening. No remorse whatsoever.”
The body was found Sunday, at Tuscany Place Apartments, located at 25470 SW 137th Ave.
“It’s bringing tears to my eyes. I just don’t want to think about it. There’s no reason for it to be like that,” said neighbor Virginia Hawkins.
A court date has yet to be set for Farrington.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.