Orange County mom charged after daughter found unconscious in car

Sandra Hernandez-Cazares has been charged with the death of her 3-year-old daughter, Ily Ruiz, after both were found unconscious in a locked car in Anaheim on a day when temperatures reached 104 degrees. Concern arose when family members noticed that no one picked up the couple's 5-year-old son from school, prompting a call to 911. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Hernandez-Cazares and Ily inside a white Ford Expedition, where the girl was later pronounced dead, likely due to heatstroke. An autopsy is pending, but police found several empty alcohol bottles in the vehicle. Twelve years prior, Hernandez-Cazares and her husband, Juan Ruiz, suffered the tragic loss of their two sons, Alaries and Cyris, who were killed by a drunk driver while the family was camping in South Dakota. Following this incident, the couple became advocates for stricter drunk driving laws. The irony of their current situation, where Hernandez-Cazares faces charges related to her daughter's death, has drawn attention from the public and officials alike. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the profound tragedy of a mother who lost two sons to a drunk driver now facing the loss of her daughter due to her own choices. If convicted, Hernandez-Cazares could face up to 12 years in prison, with bail set at $150,000. The family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign for funeral expenses, which has already exceeded $10,000. This heartbreaking case highlights the devastating consequences of heat exposure in vehicles, especially during extreme weather conditions, and raises questions about the responsibilities of caregivers. The community is left to grapple with the loss and the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.