Car with front window broken - file photo - not from current report.
Car with front window broken - File Photo - Not from current report.

California mom accused of letting baby die in hot car during spa visit

December 17, 2025
1 min read

Bakersfield, CA – A California woman faces serious charges after allegedly leaving her infant in a hot car while she attended a cosmetic procedure at a medical spa. Maya Hernandez, 20, is being tried for the death of her 1-year-old son, Amillio, who died due to overheating in the vehicle.

During testimony on Monday, Hernandez defended her actions, stating she did not believe her liquid Brazilian butt lift would take as long as it did. The procedure, known to take longer than the 15-20 minutes she anticipated for lip filler, ended with tragedy for her family.

A witness, an aesthetics injector at the spa, testified that she suggested Hernandez wait in the car due to delays at the facility. The witness indicated Hernandez did not mention her children were in the car or express urgency during their interaction.

Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Hernandez checked her Apple Watch 45 times while waiting inside. They asserted that she failed to check on her children despite outdoor temperatures reaching 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Text messages sent from the spa informed Hernandez she could bring her children into air conditioning. After finishing her procedure, Hernandez discovered her son unresponsive in the vehicle and attempted to cool him down.

Hernandez has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and two counts of child cruelty. The jury’s decision awaits as the trial continues.

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