BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — In a dramatic courtroom revelation, a spa employee testified that Maya Hernandez was undergoing a Liquid Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, not a lip filler, on the day her children were left in a hot car.
Jurors were shown footage of Hernandez admitting to authorities that she was aware of the dangers of leaving children in a hot car.
During the interview, Hernandez, a trained certified nursing assistant, broke down in tears, saying, “It’s not like I left them in there just to die.”
Opening statements were delivered in Kern County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (KBAK/KBFX)
The spa aesthetics injector who worked on Hernandez testified that the procedure itself lasted about 15–20 minutes.
At one point, she even suggested Hernandez wait in her car before the procedure because the spa was backed up.
Hernandez had not mentioned being in a hurry or that her children were in the car.
However, text messages revealed Hernandez had asked the aesthetic injector if she could bring her children into the spa.
The injector agreed, provided they stayed in the waiting area.
Prosecutors played Hernandez’s second interview with authorities, recorded after her arrest. In it, detectives asked Hernandez a series of questions, including about her background as a former CNA.
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She said that although she was no longer working as a CNA, she had learned about caring for patients of all ages.
She then began to cry.
Detectives also asked Hernandez what she thought would happen if she left her children in a car.
In the video, she replied, “What happened, I guess.”
She told detectives that she had heard news stories about children being left in cars, but didn’t think it would happen to her.
She said she left her kids in the car because they were sleeping and added, “It’s not like I left them in there just to die.”
Pictured are Maya Hernandez and her two sons, Amillio (left) and Mateo (right). (Photo:{ }Katie Martinez)
Concluding the interview video, the detective testified that Hernandez admitted she understood what could happen if she left the children in the car.
A detective explained that a recreation test was conducted to estimate vehicle temperature, confirming it shut off after about an hour.
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During the test, temperatures increased by 19.4 degrees in 15 minutes after the AC turned off, meaning the children were exposed to high temperatures for about 1 hour and 8 minutes, with a maximum internal temperature of 116 degrees.
The coolest car seat with AC on was 80.6 degrees.
The defense questioned the method, asking if two days later, conditions with only one car seat and no children would reflect reality.
Opening statements were delivered in Kern County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (KBAK/KBFX)
The detective said yes, citing good practice and favorable results compared to studies.
The defense also questioned control groups, thermal mass, AC effectiveness when driving or idling, and whether idling mimicked the drive from Visalia to Bakersfield.
The detective noted the recreation was only done once, but was supported by published studies.
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Another officer who testified said Hernandez told him she had left her vehicle around 2 p.m. and saw the children again around 4:30 p.m. when she called 911.
He described Hernandez’s demeanor as neutral and calm—she was not crying or panicking.
However, during cross-examination, he admitted he did not include Hernandez’s demeanor in the report. He said he reviewed his body-worn camera before testifying, which is where he got the description of her demeanor.
Prosecutors also played surveillance video showing Hernandez leaving the medical spa building.
Opening statements were delivered in Kern County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (KBAK/KBFX)
A few minutes later, an employee who testified earlier in the trial stepped out as well.
Minutes after that, Hernandez ran back into the spa holding Amilio and went straight to the aesthetics injector.
The employee who had stepped out then entered, holding Mateo.
The aesthetics injector explained that Hernandez opened the treatment-room door, standing in the doorway, holding her baby, Amilio, and saying, “My baby.”
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The injector stated she knew Hernandez had children, but didn’t know they were with her that day.
Hernandez was then seen running out of the spa again, holding Amilio.
A client took hold of Mateo, while another appeared to be calling 911.
The aesthetics injector was seen tending to Mateo using wet towels on his head and neck because she said he looked like he was going to pass out and had a very fast heartbeat.
The trial is set to resume on Monday with one more prosecution witness, followed by closing arguments expected on Tuesday.