SWEETWATER, Fla. – The Miami-Dade Police Department has arrested a man in connection with the death of a 17-year-old girl whose body was found burning in Sweetwater.
Armando Botell, 66, is charged with second-degree murder.
Police said Romina Fernandez's body was found Oct. 11, 2014, after Sweetwater police officers and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were called to reports of a fire in the area of Flagler Street and 114th Avenue.
Police said Fernandez's body was discovered inside a dumpster once the fire in the rear alley of a strip mall was extinguished.
According to the arrest report, Fernandez's body was burnt beyond recognition and she was identified through dental records. The medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide.
Police said Fernandez was reported missing the same day she was found.
According to the report, Botell had been selling the victim Xanax and other drugs since she was 15 years old, and had an intimate relationship with her that became obsessive.
Police said Botell had nude pictures of Fernandez and "paid a friend to follow the victim around."
According to witnesses, Botell admitted to them that he had become physically abusive toward Fernandez and was "emotionally distraught over his obsession with the victim."
Police said cellular tower records showed that Botell's and Fernandez's cellphones were pinging from the same tower the day she was reported missing. They said surveillance video from the shopping plaza also showed Botell's silver Mercedes Benz at the scene, and Botell dumping off the victim's body and setting it on fire.
According to detectives, Botell and Fernandez met up the day she was killed at about 2:30 a.m. in downtown Miami and eventually ended up together in Sweetwater, where the victim lived.
Police said Botell was interviewed by investigators both this month and in February. Witnesses told detectives that Botell became "anxious and nervous" after the February questioning, and asked people to help him flee to South America.
Police said Botell's statements contradicted witness testimony and the cellular tower records that placed him at the scene.
Botell was arrested Thursday, and remains at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on no bond.
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