A tragic case unfolded in Bakersfield, California, when a 1-year-old boy died after his mother left him in a hot car. Maya Hernandez, 20, left both of her young sons in the vehicle while she went inside a nearby med spa for a cosmetic treatment.
She strapped the 1-year-old and his 2-year-old brother into their car seats before walking into the spa. The procedure only lasted about 15 to 20 minutes. However, the boys stayed left in hot car for nearly two hours, according to court records.
The 1-year-old, Amillio Gutierrez, suffered extreme heat exposure. Doctors recorded his body temperature at 107 degrees. Despite efforts to save him, he died at the hospital. His 2-year-old brother survived with a body temperature of 99 degrees.
Their grandmother, Katie Martinez, spoke out after the incident. She said the boys had no way to free themselves from their car seats. “She literally locked them in their car seats and shut their doors,” Martinez said.
Before her appointment, Hernandez messaged the spa and asked if she could bring her children inside. A staff member responded that the children could wait in the lobby. Instead, Hernandez chose to leave them in the vehicle with the air conditioning set to 60 degrees.
A nearby business owner said security footage showed staff pouring cold water on the boys at the front desk after discovering them. Witnesses described the scene as emotional and devastating.
Court records also revealed that child protective services had investigated Hernandez earlier for emotional abuse. Officials eventually closed that case without action.
Now, prosecutors have charged Hernandez with involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty. She is due back in court soon for a hearing. This painful incident reminds parents everywhere of the fatal risk when children get left in hot car, even for a short time.
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