'Overwhelmed,' 'unbearable:' Family learns evidence shows couple burned car after hit-and-run

Samantha was crossing the street around 7:30 p.m. when she was hit and killed by a car that fled the scene.

On Thursday Raleigh police announced the arrests of Blanca Iris de Mari Escobar-Roblero, 27, and Wilmer Morales-Roblero, 26, both of Cary.

The girl's father, Samuel Briggs, told WRAL News the wait had been a tough pill to swallow.

“Six months of tears and pain and wondering," Holmes said. "Just how could you flee a scene like that?”

Holmes says she isn't sure how to feel just yet, but that the arrest does bring some closure.

"I feel a little closure, but it won't bring her back," said Holmes. "I just wish things had been different."

Holmes was shocked to hear the arrest warrant indicated the couple had burned the car.

"The pain I feel is still unbearable," she said. "And then to burn the car, that's just crazy."

Samantha was hit the night after her birthday. She was walking with friends. They had come from the store where they were getting things for a sleepover – candy, cookies and things for her birthday.

"They never got to do the sleepover," said Holmes.

She says she hopes her sister is dancing in heaven right now.

"She was very loved. She was a great little soul," she said.

Samantha's father remembers the last words he said to his little girl: "The last thing I said to her was 'I love you' and she loves me. Those were our last words."

On May 12, Raleigh police set up a checkpoint in the 6500 block of Hillsborough Street where Briggs was killed hoping to drum up any new leads. Police told WRAL News that a man saw coverage of the checkpoint on television and called them, providing a lead that led them to the Robleros.

Escobar-Roblero, identified in warrants as the driver, was charged with felony hit-and-run and obstructing justice. According to warrants, she called her husband, Morales-Roblero, after the crash. He was charged with accessory after the fact and obstructing justice.

She asked for a court-appointed attorney.

The prosecutor said cell phone records put her at scene of collision, as well at the location where the car was taken and burned in Franklin County. Police also found plastic at the scene of the hit-and-run which matched the burned vehicle.

During an interview, Escobar-Roblero admitted to hitting Samantha.

The prosecutor asked for a $200,000 bond, but the judge left it at $50,000 for Escobar-Roblero and $25,000 for her husband.

"I am kind of relieved but not really satisfied," said Samantha's sister. "We waited six months for justice, now it’s a little bond and a little electronic monitoring."

Morales-Roblero is a citizen of Guatemala and undocumented in the United States, according to the court. He also has a warrant in the state of Arizona.

The prosecutor said his involvement was after the collision with Samantha, and his cell phone record pinged at the location after the collision, then to Franklin County where the vehicle was burned. He also admitted to the crimes, along with his wife.

Police have texts messages between the two about the burning of the car.