Mother faces charges after leaving children in car during cosmetic procedure

In Bakersfield, California, a tragic incident resulted in the death of a one-year-old boy named Amillio Gutierrez after being left in a hot car for several hours by his mother, 20-year-old Maya Hernandez. The boy and his two-year-old brother were strapped in their car seats outside a med spa while Hernandez attended a cosmetic appointment on June 29. Though the procedure was brief, lasting only 15 to 20 minutes, reports indicate that Hernandez remained away from the vehicle for approximately two and a half hours. This resulted in Amillio’s body temperature reaching a critical 107 degrees. By the time authorities arrived, attempts by spa employees to cool the older child had begun, however, Amillio was pronounced dead soon after at the hospital. Hernandez stated that she left the car running with the air conditioning on, but the vehicle, a 2022 Toyota Corolla hybrid, was equipped with an automatic shut-off feature that disables the engine after an hour. Estimates suggest that the boys were left without air conditioning for at least 90 minutes. The grandmother, Katie Martinez, expressed her devastation over the loss of her grandson and emphasized how the children were helpless in their car seats. After being informed of her son's death, Hernandez admitted to police that she understood it was irresponsible to leave her children in the car, yet did not justify her actions. This situation has drawn significant attention and evokes a mix of emotions including heartbreak and confusion. Witnesses at the med spa indicated that Hernandez had asked if she could bring her children, but details on how she managed to stay out of the car for so long remain alarming. The children's father, who is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges, found out about the tragedy from a chaplain, intensifying the family's grief. A vigil was held in memory of Amillio in a local park, nurturing hope and reflection within the community about child safety in vehicles. Maya Hernandez has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty, and remains in custody on bail exceeding $1 million. She is scheduled for arraignment later this month. This heartbreaking event serves as a grim reminder for parents about the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles, particularly during the summer months when temperatures can rise rapidly, placing young lives in peril.