A heartbreaking and deeply disturbing case out of California has led to murder charges against a 20-year-old mother who allegedly left her two small children in a parked car during scorching summer temperatures while she got a cosmetic procedure.
The incident tragically ended in the death of her 1-year-old son and has stunned the community and the court.
What Happened on June 29?
On the afternoon of June 29, 2025, Maya Hernandez drove to a medical spa in California for a lip filler appointment. With her in the car were her two sons — a 1-year-old, Amillio Gutierrez, and his 2-year-old brother.
Surveillance footage showed Hernandez arriving at 1:10 p.m., briefly returning to the vehicle after entering, and then leaving again at 2:09 p.m. She did not come back to her car until 4:33 p.m., leaving the children inside for nearly 2½ hours as the outside temperature soared to 101°F.
By the time Hernandez returned, it was already too late for young Amillio. Medical staff reported that the toddler was unresponsive, with a body temperature of 107.2°F, blue lips, pale skin, and no pulse. He was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m., despite all efforts to save him.
Inside the Courtroom: New Evidence and Witness Testimony
During a court hearing this week, new and shocking evidence prompted Judge Brian McNamara to upgrade the charges to first-degree murder, in addition to the original charges of manslaughter and child cruelty.
Prosecutors presented powerful witness testimony, including statements from a nurse at the spa and a woman in the waiting room, both of whom interacted with Hernandez that day.
The woman testified that Hernandez had casually mentioned having “two little babies,” but gave no hint that they were alone in the car. When she eventually returned from her appointment, Hernandez reportedly walked in holding a “limp” and “purple” child making gargling sounds.
The spa nurse described Hernandez’s attitude as detached and uncaring, saying she looked “out of it” and unfazed by the unfolding emergency. The nurse also cared for the 2-year-old, who was reportedly sweating heavily and looked close to heatstroke.
Forensics and Car Testing Confirm Deadly Heat Conditions
Detectives recreated the scene on July 2, using Hernandez’s own Toyota Corolla hybrid. With the car parked in the same location and weather conditions nearly identical, they discovered that the vehicle’s auto shut-off function turned off the car after one hour of inactivity — just as it would have done on the day of the incident.
This meant that although Hernandez had initially left the air conditioning on, it likely shut off automatically by 3:09 p.m., leaving the children trapped in rising temperatures.
By 4:15 p.m., the internal temperature of the car had reached 116°F, causing one of the officer’s body cameras to power down due to overheating — highlighting the extreme conditions inside the vehicle.
What Did Maya Hernandez Say?
Detective Kyle McNabb, who interviewed Hernandez, testified that she acknowledged that leaving the children in the car was “irresponsible”. She also admitted that she had heard safety warnings on the radio about the dangers of leaving children in hot vehicles. Despite this, she told investigators, “It’s not like I left them in there for them to just f—ing die.”
Text messages from before her appointment revealed that Hernandez had asked the spa if she could bring her kids. A staff member replied that she could, and that the children could wait in the air-conditioned lobby, where other children were also present that day. Yet, Hernandez chose to leave them alone in the car.
The Legal Consequences
Hernandez now faces first-degree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of child cruelty. She remains in custody on a $1 million-plus bond and is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 24.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Hernandez could face life in prison.
This heartbreaking case is a tragic example of what can happen when careless decisions are made with devastating consequences. The death of little Amillio is not just a personal loss for the family but a public reminder about the deadly dangers of leaving children in hot cars.
The evidence presented in court paints a picture of avoidable neglect, and prosecutors argue that Hernandez had multiple chances to prevent this tragedy — including the option to bring the children inside.
As the case moves forward, it will likely fuel further discussion about parental responsibility, heat safety, and how quickly lives can be lost due to poor judgment.
