SAGINAW, MI (WNEM) -
A teen who stabbed her father to death will not face charges.
The Saginaw County Prosecutor said the daughter acted in self defense when she stabbed Rogelio Garza II with a kitchen knife.
A release from the prosecutor's office said Garza was visiting his ex-wife and some of his nine children when he got into an argument with his daughter. He physically grabbed her, struck her, bruised her and further assaulted her. During the assault the teen grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed her father in the chest.
According to the prosecutor, Garza had previously assaulted this same daughter and another daughter multiple times in 2011. One teen was struck in the eye by Garza in March 2011 and both were assaulted in September 2011. He was charged with domestic violence. This charge was recently dismissed when he failed to appear in court.
Saginaw County Prosecutor Mike Thomas said the death will be ruled a justifiable homicide and no criminal charges will be filed.
Prosecutor Mike Thomas reached the decision because of the history of domestic violence on the teen daughter, investigative facts surrounding Garza's death and his prior assault convictions.
The daughter will remain in protective custody. Saginaw Police worked with the Michigan Department of Human services to investigate the death.
Garza had previous convictions including larceny, carrying a concealed weapon and assaulting a police officer.
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