California – The trial of a 20-year-old California mother, identified as M. Hernandez, accused of leaving her two sons in a hot car while she received a cosmetic procedure, has now entered a pivotal phase. Hernandez is facing charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of willful child cruelty following the death of her 1-year-old son in what prosecutors allege was a deliberate and avoidable act.
The incident occurred on June 29, 2023. According to court records and police reports, Hernandez arrived at a local medical spa for a scheduled lip-filler appointment. With her were her two young sons, the 1-year-old victim and his 2-year-old brother. Despite having texted ahead to ask if the children could accompany her into the building—and being told they could wait in the lobby—Hernandez left them both locked in her parked vehicle as outdoor temperatures reached 101 degrees.
During opening arguments, prosecutor S. Taconi told the court that Hernandez chose to sacrifice her son’s life, as she intentionally left the children in the vehicle so she could have time to herself. “She chose a break. She chose time to socialize with other adults,” Taconi said. “That choice cost her son his life.” Witnesses described the condition of the boys when Hernandez finally returned more than two hours later. She carried the toddler into the spa, limp and purple, while another witness pulled the 2-year-old from the backseat. A nurse working inside the spa said the older boy looked like he was about to have a stroke. Hospital staff confirmed that the victim arrived with a body temperature of 107.2 degrees, unconscious, and showing no pulse. He was pronounced dead at 5:48 p.m. His brother survived and was placed in protective custody following treatment.
Prosecutors laid out a detailed timeline using text messages and witness accounts to argue that Hernandez ignored repeated opportunities to protect her children. Not only did she reject an offer to bring the boys inside, but she also ignored messages from people who had offered to watch the children while she attended the appointment. Taconi emphasized that this was not a case of momentary distraction or forgetfulness. “There are no accidents here,” she said. “These were intentional actions, done willfully by the defendant.”
Hernandez’s defense attorney, T. Wakeman, painted a different picture—one of a young, overwhelmed mother who made a catastrophic error in judgment but did not intend to harm her children. Wakeman acknowledged the gravity of the case but told jurors it should not be seen as murder. “This is an incredibly sad case about a 20-year-old mother of two, a car, and a terrible, awful mistake,” he said. “But it’s not about murder.” He argued that Hernandez had taken precautions. According to the defense, she left the children in the car with bottles of milk, snacks, and even her phone so the older boy could watch TV. She also left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on, assuming it would remain powered throughout her time inside.
However, the vehicle was equipped with a feature that automatically shuts off the engine after one hour—something Hernandez allegedly did not account for. The defense team indicated it will concede to the manslaughter and child cruelty charges but intends to fight the second-degree murder charge.
The trial has drawn significant public attention, both for the tragic circumstances and the debate over intent. If convicted on all counts, Hernandez faces decades in prison. The case has underscored once again the lethal consequences of leaving children unattended in hot vehicles—even briefly—and the devastating chain of events that can be triggered by a single decision. As the trial continues, the fate of Hernandez remains in the hands of the jury, and the memory of the young boy remains at the center of the courtroom.
