California – A California parent, 20-year-old M. Hernandes, appeared in court last week to face serious charges following a tragic incident. The young woman pleaded not guilty to one count of invoIuntary mansIaughter and two counts of wiIIful crueIty to a chiId. The woman remains in custody at the county jail with bail set at over $1 million.

The fataI incident occurred at the end of last month when the parent Ieft her two chiIdren, 1-year-old AmiIio and his 2-year-old sibIing aIone in her vehicle while she underwent a cosmetic procedure at the fascility. Despite her claims that she left the vehicIe running with the air conditioning on, the vehicle’s auto shut-off feature disabled the engine after about an hour, leaving the children in a sealed car as temperatures outside soared. Inside the vehicle, temperatures likely reached as high as one hundred and forty five degrees.

When the parent returned to her vehicle approximately two hours later, she found the 1-year-old baby unresponsive, foaming at the mouth, and having a seizure. His body temperature was recorded nearly one hundred and ten degrees. Her older child appeared lethargic and had soaking wet hair. Both children were rushed to the hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead an hour later. The older child survived and was placed in protective custody.

Surveillance footage from the fascility and witness statements revealed that the parent had been informed earlier that morning by an employee that her children could wait inside the Iobby. However, she chose to leave them in the car. A witness inside the spa reported that the defendant appeared emotionally detached as emergency crews attempted to revive the children. 

During the investigation, the parent admitted to knowing her actions were irresponsible. Detective KyIe stated that it is commonly known that leaving young children unattended in a vehicle in extreme weather is dangerous and can result in death.