BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Opening statements commenced Monday in the Kern County Superior Court for the murder trial of Maya Hernandez, a 20-year-old mother from Visalia. Hernandez faces charges of second-degree murder after allegedly leaving her 1-year-old son, Amilio, and his brother, Mateo, in a hot car in June 2025. The incident resulted in Amilio’s death while Hernandez was inside a medical spa. The Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Amilio Gutierrez died from heat stroke.
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The Kern County Coroner’s Office confirmed that a 1-year-old Amillio Gutierrez from Visalia died from heat stroke. PHOTO:{ }GoFundMe, KBAK/KBFX
The defense plans to concede to manslaughter and cruelty charges but will challenge the second-degree murder charge. Several witnesses, including other clients at the spa, testified about the events of that day. Witnesses described the spa’s waiting room as welcoming, with other children and a dog present. One client mentioned stepping out to walk his dog near Hernandez’s car, which appeared off and empty, with windows too tinted to see inside.
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After Hernandez’s procedure, she returned to her car, and people in the waiting room witnessed the critical condition of the children, prompting a 911 call. According to a BPD officer’s testimony and body-worn camera footage, Hall Ambulance personnel performed life-saving efforts on Amilio, who was described as unconscious and not breathing. Amilio later died, while his brother Mateo appeared lethargic and soaking wet.
A one-year-old baby died and another toddler is in the hospital after they were allegedly left in a hot car for over two hours on South Real Road while the mother went inside a medical spa. KBAK/KBFX
In the opening arguments, the prosecution stated, “Accidents in this case. This isn’t a case of a forgotten child whose mom was in a hurry. These were intentional actions. Done willfully by the defendant. 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.”
The defense countered, “And into the business to check on the status of her appointment. She returned to the car, and she did text, nurse, uh, Harmony Pacheco. Pacheco was the nurse providing the procedure. Mr. Hernandez went into the business around 2:00 p.m. for what she thought was a 15-minute medical procedure. Before she goes into the business. 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.”
Opening statements were delivered in Kern County Superior Court on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (KBAK/KBFX)
The trial was cut short due to technical issues, but will resume tomorrow at 9 a.m. for evidence presentation.