BAKERSFIELD, CA – A Bakersfield woman is facing serious charges after authorities say she left her young children in a car on a scorching day while she received a cosmetic procedure, an incident that ended with one child’s death and another’s hospitalization.
Maya Hernandez, 20, appeared in court this week and entered a not guilty plea to charges of manslaughter and two counts of willful cruelty to a child. She remains jailed on bail set at more than $1 million pending further court proceedings.
The incident occurred June 29, when Hernandez arrived at a Bakersfield medical spa accompanied by her two sons—an unnamed 2-year-old and 1-year-old Amillio. Investigators allege Hernandez left the children locked inside her 2022 Toyota Corolla while outside temperatures climbed to 101 degrees.
Court documents indicate that earlier the same morning, Hernandez called the spa to ask if she could bring both children inside while she underwent a cosmetic procedure. Spa staff told her it would be acceptable, yet detectives say she chose to leave them in the car, strapped into their car seats.
Although the lip-filler procedure reportedly took only 15 to 20 minutes, investigators said the spa was busy that day and Hernandez was inside for approximately two and a half hours. During this time, authorities say, she did not check on her children.
When questioned by police, Hernandez said she thought the children would remain safe because she had left the air conditioning on in the hybrid vehicle. However, experts told investigators that the car’s engine was designed to automatically shut off after one hour, potentially leaving the children inside without cooling for up to an hour and a half.
Shortly after 4:30 p.m., Hernandez returned to her car to find Amillio unresponsive and suffering a seizure. Witnesses said spa staff rushed to assist, bringing the older child indoors to douse him with water. First responders arrived minutes later, and both boys were taken to a hospital.
Tragically, Amillio was found to have a body temperature of 107 degrees and was pronounced dead less than 90 minutes after being brought in. His older brother survived after hospitalization and has since been placed in protective custody.
Court filings reveal Hernandez told police she recognized leaving her children in the car was irresponsible, admitting she considered the risks but had no justification for her actions.
Family circumstances have added complexity to the tragedy, as the boys’ father is currently in jail. He was notified of his son’s death while incarcerated.
Hernandez is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on July 14. She remains in custody as the case draws renewed attention to the recurring danger of leaving children unattended in parked cars during hot weather.