Jazmin Paez, an 18-year-old mother from Miami-Dade, Florida, has been arrested and charged with first-degree solicitation of murder and third-degree unlawful use of a communications device after allegedly trying to hire a hitman to kill her three-year-old son.
How She Tried to Hire a Hitman
According to the arrest report, Paez visited a parody website called rentahitman.com and filled out an online form requesting a killer to murder her son “to get something done once and for all.” She also wrote that she wanted her son “to be taken away, far, far, far away and possibly be killed but ASAP.”
She offered $3,000 for the job and even sent photos and an address of where her child would be. The child was living with his grandmother at the time after Paez became a mother at around 15 years old.
Jazmin Paez
The website, which was initially created for a cybersecurity company, is a parody site that warns visitors that it is not a real service and that any requests will be forwarded to law enforcement agencies.
The website’s owner, Robert Innes, said he receives hundreds of solicitations a day, but Paez’s request looked too real and he contacted the Miami-Dade Police Department.
How She Was Caught
Innes said he called the police department’s non-emergency number three times but he was referred to Crime Stoppers, which threatened to send him a cease-and-desist letter if he continued to contact them. He said he was frustrated by the lack of interest from the authorities and he feared for the child’s safety.
the homepage of the website
However, his persistence paid off and the police eventually took his report seriously and launched an investigation. They traced Paez’s IP address to her home and spoke with the child’s grandmother, who confirmed that the intended target was Paez’s son. They then located Paez and arrested her.
How She Defended Herself
Paez appeared in court on Wednesday and was granted a $15,000 bond. She was ordered to stay away from her son and wear an ankle monitor. She did not enter a plea.
Her father spoke to NBC 6 and defended his daughter, saying she is not a monster but a girl who was born with health problems. He said she has had 12 surgeries in her life and has liquid retained in her neck. He said she lost the ability to move her face and was bullied in school. He said he believes his daughter is innocent and that the justice system will bring out the truth.
Jazmin was Encouraged By Her Friend, Gamaliel Soza
Gamaliel Soza, an 18-year-old friend of Jazmin Paez, was the one who allegedly encouraged her to kill her son. According to the police, he sent her multiple text messages, telling her that her son was a burden and that she would be better off without him.
Gamaliel Soza
He also suggested ways to get rid of him, such as drowning him in a bathtub or throwing him off a bridge. He even offered to help her find a hitman online and pay for half of the fee. He claimed that he loved her and wanted to start a new life with her, but only if she killed her son first.
How Her Son Is Doing
The child is currently safe and with relatives, according to NBC 6. The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified of the case and is expected to provide services and support for the child.