Mom found guilty of neglect after son's death in hot car

A 20-year-old mother from Bakersfield, California, has been found guilty in the death of her 1-year-old son. Maya Hernandez pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, accepting a plea deal that dropped a first-degree murder charge. This conviction stems from an incident last June when she reportedly left her two young children unattended in a vehicle for over two hours to undergo a cosmetic procedure.

Authorities found the children in a car on June 29, with temperatures outside ranging from 99 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Tragically, her 1-year-old son, Amillio Guierrez, was pronounced dead at the hospital. His 2-year-old brother survived and was placed in protective custody. The surviving child was left without either parent, as the father was incarcerated at the time.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that Hernandez prioritized her appearance over her children's safety. Despite being offered accommodation for the children at the medical spa, she chose to leave them in the running car. The defense claimed she was unaware her hybrid vehicle's engine would automatically shut off, but prosecutors countered that her actions were a series of deliberate choices.

Hernandez is scheduled for sentencing on March 5 and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for the tragic loss of her son.