The murder trial continues against a California woman accused of leaving her son in a hot car while she visited a Bakersfield spa.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Maya Hernandez is facing first-degree murder, willful cruelty, and involuntary manslaughter charges, in connection with the death of her son, Amillio Gutierrez, 1.
“This isn’t a case of a forgotten child whose mom was in a hurry. These were intentional actions. Done willfully by the defendant,” the prosecution said Monday during opening statements.
“Keep in mind, also, that we are here because of choices. Choices made by the defendant. Choices [were] made to leave her children in the car. Choices made to put her appearance before her children.”
Hernandez is accused of leaving her two children in her car while she visited the Always Beautiful Med Spa in Bakersfield on June 29.
The prosecution said Amilio had a 107.2 degrees when he arrived at an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Her other child, a 2-year-old, had a temperature of 99 degrees, but survived, according to Court TV.
Employees at the spa told Hernandez she could bring her children inside when she visited the business. An employee told her they would need to stay in the lobby while she had her lip procedure done.
She chose to leave the children inside her 2022 Toyota Corolla hybrid. Hours later, she returned to the car and found her children in distress.
The defense is challenging the murder charge but will accept the manslaughter and cruelty to children charges, Bakersfield Now reports.
“Mr. Hernandez went into the business around 2:00 p.m. for what she thought was a 15-minute medical procedure,” the defense said.
“She left her kids in their car seats with cookies, a bottle of milk each, and with Mateo, she left her phone so that he could watch TV. Before she went into the business, Ms. Hernandez left her keys under the seat. The car was running. The air conditioning was on.”
A bystander who grabbed the 2-year-old from the car said that the air conditioning was not turned on. The vehicle’s manufacturer expert previously told Bakersfield police that the air conditioner automatically turns off after an hour of inactivity.
The lip procedure typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes, but police said Hernandez left the children in the car for nearly two hours, since the day in question at the spa had been unusually busy.
Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.
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[Feature Photo: Amilio Hernandez/Family Handout]