A young mother in California is standing trial, accused of a devastating act of negligence that resulted in the death of her one-year-old son. Maya Hernandez, just 20 years old, allegedly left her two young boys alone in a sweltering car while she underwent a cosmetic procedure.
The tragic events unfolded on June 29th. Hernandez reportedly left her sons, Amillio Gutierrez, one year old, and Mateo, two, strapped into their car seats in her Toyota Corolla while she attended an appointment at a med spa in Bakersfield. The prosecution alleges she was inside for two hours.
When Hernandez returned to the car, she found her youngest child unresponsive, foam coming from his mouth. Amillio’s body temperature had soared to a lethal 107°F. Witnesses described a frantic scene as Hernandez rushed back into the spa, cradling her “limp” and “purple” baby.
A bystander managed to pull Mateo from the dangerously hot vehicle, while a nurse at the clinic observed the toddler appearing gravely ill. Both boys were suffering from dangerously elevated internal temperatures, but only Amillio succumbed to the heat, dying shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The courtroom heard stark accusations from prosecutor Stephanie Taconi, who argued that Hernandez deliberately prioritized a cosmetic enhancement over the well-being of her children. Taconi stated Hernandez “chose vanity” and that her choices “cost Amillio his life.”
Evidence presented revealed Hernandez had inquired about bringing her children to the appointment. Despite staff offering a cool, air-conditioned space inside the clinic, she allegedly chose to leave them unattended in the car. She never informed anyone at the spa that the children were outside.
The prosecution insists this was not a case of accidental forgetfulness, but a series of intentional actions. They maintain Hernandez knowingly and willingly placed her children in a life-threatening situation.
The defense, led by Teryl Wakeman, acknowledges the tragedy but frames it as a terrible mistake, not murder. Wakeman claims Hernandez believed the car’s air conditioning would remain on and provided the children with snacks and entertainment, including her phone for Mateo to watch videos.
The defense plans to contest the second-degree murder charge, but concedes to the charges of manslaughter and child cruelty. The case hinges on whether Hernandez’s actions were a deliberate disregard for her children’s safety or a horrific, yet unintentional, error in judgment.
Mateo is currently in protective custody, his future uncertain as the trial unfolds. The courtroom is left grappling with the devastating consequences of a decision that irrevocably altered two families’ lives.
