California Mother Charged in Toddler’s Death
A mother from California is facing charges for allegedly leaving her 1-year-old son in a sweltering car while she got lip injections. Prosecutors claim she traded her son’s safety for her appearance.
On June 29, Maya Hernandez reportedly left her toddler, Amilio Gutierrez, along with her 2-year-old son, in a vehicle at a medical spa in Bakersfield, California. She spent about two and a half hours inside, focusing on her appearance as the temperature outside soared to 101 degrees. By the time she returned around 4:33 p.m., the car’s interior temperature was likely around 116 degrees.
Prosecutor Stephanie Taconi emphasized that the 20-year-old mother’s choices reflected a disregard for her children, stating, “She chose vanity over her sons.” This decision, Taconi pointed out, directly contributed to Amilio’s death.
Reconstructing the day’s events, Taconi noted that Hernandez wasn’t checking on the kids during her absence. Instead, she was preoccupied with her procedures, and employees had previously suggested leaving the boys in the waiting area. There was even an offer from a friend to care for them.
According to Taconi, “There was no accident here. This isn’t a case of a mother in a hurry—it was intentional.” When Hernandez returned, she discovered that Amilio appeared unresponsive. Another person helped her as she rushed her limp, discolored child to the spa.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Amilio was found to have an alarmingly high fever of 107.2 degrees and was unconscious. In stark contrast, his brother Mateo managed to survive but also showed signs of distress, registering a normal internal temperature.
Hernandez’s attorney, Terrill Wakeman, acknowledged the severity of her mistake but argued that it shouldn’t result in a murder conviction. He pointed out that she had left the car running with the air conditioning on and provided snacks and devices for her sons to keep them entertained.
However, cars like the Toyota Corolla shut off after an hour of inactivity, which raises questions about the mother’s choices that day. Hernandez is currently facing second-degree murder charges, while also having previously pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and child abuse.
