My mother was an amazing woman – a young, hardworking, and caring individual whose life was taken too soon. She devoted her life to helping others, even when they weren't appreciative. She was intelligent, beautiful, and, to me, she was everything. Tragically, she was taken from us by her ex-boyfriend, JUAN MIGUEL ROMAN, in a horrific act of domestic violence when I was just 11 years old, and my baby brother had barely turned 1.

For a decade, I lived with the agony and injustice of seeing my mother's murderer slip through the cracks of law enforcement. It was disheartening and painful, but I refused to rest until justice was served. With the help of my cousin, we relentlessly sought answers and, finally, after receiving information on his whereabouts in Mexico, we managed to bring him to justice. It was a difficult journey, but our perseverance paid off, and now he is awaiting trial.

The day of reckoning is scheduled for February 23rd-26th, and as the date approaches, I am filled with a mix of emotions. It's a moment my family and I have been waiting for, but we cannot do this alone. We need the support and solidarity of our community in Maryland to ensure that the judicial process is fair and just and to bring awareness to the overarching issue of domestic violence that affects so many lives.

Domestic violence is a tragic reality for countless individuals. In Maryland, it has been a pervasive issue, with thousands of cases reported annually. Yet, despite this, a significant number of perpetrators remain unprosecuted or evade justice. My mother's case should serve as a glaring reminder of the need for systemic improvements within our law enforcement and judicial systems to better protect victims and their families.

By signing this petition, you are standing with us in demanding justice for my mother and advocating for necessary changes in the way domestic violence cases are handled. Your signature is more than just an act of support; it's a call for action to ensure that no other family has to experience the prolonged agony that mine endured.

The trial is going to be in UPPER MARLBORO COURTHOUSE @ 9AM on FEB 23RD to the 26TH!!

14735 Main St
Upper Marlboro, MD  20772
United States

Please join me in this fight by adding your voice to our cause. Together, we can achieve the justice my mother deserved and bring about a significant change in our community. Sign this petition and be part of our journey toward justice and healing. Thank you.

⚠️ Please note: Any donations made through Change.org go to Change.org for advertising, not to Emilia’s family. If you’d like to help us directly, please show support by attending the trial, sharing this petition, or contacting us privately.