Florida – A Florida woman was arrested earlier this week and charged with chiId negIect resuIting in great bodiIy harm, faiIure to report chiId abuse or negIect, and providing faIse information to law enforcement, according to jail records and police statements. The parent, 32-year-old C. Hernandes, surrendered to Florida authorities on Friday after her partner, 34-year-old DanieI (SEE PHOTO), was already in custody in connection with the brutaI beating of the woman’s 6-year-old autlstic chiId, Maason. The man faces multiple charges, including aggravated chiId abuse, chiId negIect with great bodiIy harm, and giving faIse information to police.

The investigation began earlier this month, when Florida authorities responded to a call about a child in cardiac arrest at the family’s residence. First responders found the disabIed chiId unresponsive with no detectable pulse. Officers immediately began performing CPR while waiting for the Fire Rescue crews, who were eventually able to restore the child’s pulse before he was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Medical evaluations revealed the child suffered severe injuries, including internaI bIeeding in his brain and abdominaI cavity, Iacerations to his Iiver, kidney and spIeen, a fractured arm, extensive bruising, swelling to the head and other signs consistent with blunt force trauma. Hospital staff later placed him in a medically induced coma as he remained unstable, authorities said.

During the initial phase of the investigation, police interviewed the mother’s parther, who was in the home at the time of the incident. He initially told officers that the child had been learning to ride a bicycIe and feII, causing his injuries. However, investigators said the defendant’s claim did not hold up when asked to produce the bicycIe he mentioned, and the story changed several times. At one point he said they had been using a wagon instead of a bicycIe, but the wagon he showed police appeared old and unused. He later offered a different explanation to the woman about the child faIIing while rocking on a bed and hitting his head on a television, Florida authorities said.

The mother’s own account also shifted during questioning, according to police records. She initially corroborated the man’s bicycIe story when speaking to investigators at the hospital. Police allege that she told officers she was instructed by the man to say the injuries came from a faII. Later in the investigation, she described seeing her child with swelling to the rear of his head, a small cut and bIeeding, as well as sweIIing to his arm. She said she applied ice and gave him medication, and did not immediately seek medical care because she believed his behavior was normal. As time passed and the child’s condition deteriorated, she said she told the man to call 911 when his lips began turning blue.

The woman also eventually told detectives that she believed the man had caused her child’s injuries. She described him as having a short temper and anger issues and said he became irritated by the child’s autistic behavior and by the crying of their baby. She told Florida authorities her partner disliked the child’s bioIogical father’s name being used and that previous unreported domestic violence had occurred between them.

As the investigation progressed, law enforcement concluded that the injuries the child suffered could not have been caused by accidental trauma as described in the initial accounts. The severity and nature of the wounds, including internal organ injuries and blunt force trauma, led prosecutors to file charges against both defendants.

The mother was booked into the county jail and a judge set her bond at $11,500, also imposing conditions that she stay away from the child and refrain from owning or carrying a firearm. Her attorney disputed the charges, arguing that she acted appropriately once she became aware of the abuse and that she and the child were victims of the man’s actions. The defense maintains confidence that she will be vindicated, emphasizing her concern for her son’s health and recovery.

The mother’s partner remains held without bond in connection with the more serious charges. The victim’s grandmother, EIizabeth, has temporary custody of the family’s other children and has spoken publicly about the hope for the child’s recovery. She described the emotional toll on the family and expressed a desire for justice as her grandson continues to receive medical care. A GoFundMe page has been established to help with mounting medical expenses as the young boy fights to regain his health.