A tragic incident involving a young mother, Maya Hernandez, has led to a plea deal with prosecutors after her one-year-old son died in a hot car while she was getting lip fillers. Originally charged with first-degree murder, the charge was downgraded to involuntary manslaughter, and she now faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
The heartbreaking incident occurred in Bakersfield, California, on June 29 when Hernandez left her two children in the scorching 116F heat for over two hours while she underwent a brief cosmetic procedure. Despite the quick nature of the lip fillers, she spent additional time chatting about her Fourth of July plans, neglecting her children in her Toyota Corolla.
Upon returning to the car, Hernandez found her son, Amillio Gutierrez, “limp” and “purple,” while her two-year-old son, Mateo, appeared to be in distress. Amillio was rushed to the emergency room with a temperature of 107.2F and was pronounced dead, while Mateo survived with an internal temperature of 99F.
The prosecution’s case was complicated by a mistrial verdict on the first-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges. Despite the desire to pursue the original charges, Kern County Chief Deputy DA Eric Smith opted for a plea deal following the mistrial.
Hernandez pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and two additional enhancements of child cruelty. Her sister expressed her belief that the murder charge was excessive, citing Hernandez’s lack of intent to harm her children. The defense argued that Hernandez had no ill intent and had taken precautions such as keeping the air conditioning on and providing snacks, but her car shut off after an hour.
The sentencing for Hernandez is scheduled for March 5, where she will face the consequences of her neglectful actions that led to the tragic loss of her son. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of children above all else.
