Mckinley Slone Hernandez, 26, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the severe abuse of a 2-year-old boy, Giovanni, who was left with life-altering injuries that may affect him for the rest of his life. The case highlights the tragic consequences of child abuse and the devastating impact it has on innocent victims.
The Abuse and Giovanni’s Injuries
The horrifying abuse came to light in September 2023 when Hernandez, who had been babysitting Giovanni, brought the boy to a local hospital after he suffered significant injuries. Giovanni had sustained a traumatic brain injury, reduced oxygen and blood flow to his brain, and retinal hemorrhaging, which caused tissue displacement behind his eyes. He also had bruises all over his body.
Giovanni’s mother, Stefanie Reichert, shared at Hernandez’s sentencing hearing that her son spent a month in the hospital, undergoing multiple medical procedures, including being intubated, sedated, and placed on a ventilator. Giovanni had to relearn basic life skills such as breathing, eating, and walking, and it’s uncertain how these challenges will affect him in the long term. According to his mother, the possibility of him pursuing activities like playing sports or following in his father’s footsteps into the military may never come to fruition, not because of his desires but because of the choices made by Hernandez.
Hernandez’s Actions and the Delay in Medical Help
Hernandez had been watching Giovanni at her home, where she ran an unlicensed daycare, on August 30 and September 1, 2023. On the evening of September 1, surveillance video showed Giovanni falling or being pushed from a camper trailer. Hernandez was seen picking him up, biting him on the arm, and carrying him back inside. Shortly after, Giovanni became unconscious, but Hernandez did not seek medical help until almost an hour later, which prosecutors cited as evidence of her negligence. They noted that Hernandez was more concerned about getting into trouble than the well-being of the child.
It wasn’t until Hernandez’s boyfriend stepped in and administered lifesaving CPR that Giovanni was rushed to the hospital. The delay in medical care added to the severity of Giovanni’s injuries. Prosecutors stressed that Hernandez’s failure to seek immediate medical help exacerbated the damage done to the child.
The Legal Outcome and Hernandez’s Sentence
In April 2025, a jury convicted Hernandez of child abuse, and on May 30, she was sentenced to 18 years in prison for her crimes. The judge expressed that Hernandez, as a caregiver, had a fundamental responsibility to protect the child, and her actions instead caused immeasurable harm. The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of the abuse and the long-term consequences Giovanni now faces.
Giovanni’s Recovery and Ongoing Progress
Despite the horrific abuse he endured, Giovanni has made significant progress in his recovery. His mother, Stefanie Reichert, has been documenting his journey on a GoFundMe page, sharing updates on his condition. Giovanni has undergone numerous surgeries and continues to improve every day. His mother remains grateful to the medical professionals who saved his life and continue to help him with his recovery.
The case of Mckinley Slone Hernandez is a tragic reminder of the impact of child abuse and the lifelong consequences it can have on victims. While Giovanni’s physical injuries are slowly healing, the emotional and psychological scars will likely remain for the rest of his life. Hernandez’s sentence of 18 years in prison serves as a step toward justice for Giovanni and other children who may be vulnerable to similar abuse.
