California Mom Charged After 1-Year-Old Dies in Hot Car During Spa Visit

Maya Hernandez, a 20-year-old mother in Bakersfield, California, faces charges including involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty after leaving her one-year-old son Amillio and his two-year-old brother strapped in a car during a lip filler appointment on a hot day. Despite calling the spa beforehand and being told her children could wait inside, Hernandez left them locked in the car while temperatures reached triple digits, with the air conditioning failing after the car's automatic shutoff feature turned off the engine. The boys were left inside the vehicle for about 90 minutes without cooling, resulting in Amillio suffering a fatal heatstroke with a body temperature of 107.2 degrees and seizures, while his brother survived and was placed in protective custody. Police criticized Hernandez for valuing her appearance over her children's safety and noted that Hernandez admitted knowing her actions were irresponsible. Hernandez remains in custody on bail exceeding $1 million, having pleaded not guilty to all charges. The tragic case highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during extreme heat.