A one-year-old boy, Amillio Gutierrez, has died after being left in a hot car while his mom allegedly went for a lip procedure in Bakersfield, California.
Authorities say the child’s mother, 20-year-old Maya Hernandez, left Amillio and his two-year-old brother strapped in their car seats inside a Toyota Corolla Hybrid on June 29. She was reportedly inside the Always Beautiful Med Spa for a lip filler appointment.
When Hernandez returned around 4:30 p.m., Amillio was foaming at the mouth, convulsing, and unresponsive.
His body temperature had reached 107°F (41.7°C). He was pronounced dead at the hospital before 6 p.m. His older brother survived.
Hernandez claimed she left the air conditioning on, but investigators said the vehicle had a feature that shuts off the engine after one hour. The car was found warm when officers arrived.
The boys were believed to have been trapped in the car for at least 90 minutes.
A nurse at the spa told police Hernandez asked about bringing her kids inside but never mentioned they were left in the car. The procedure reportedly lasted only 15 to 20 minutes.
Amillio’s grandmother, Katie Martinez, expressed heartbreak on a GoFundMe page, writing: “He always had a smile no matter what. His brother will forever be without his best friend.”
Hernandez has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty. She is being held on more than $1 million bail and is expected in court on Friday, July 11.
A vigil for Amillio was held on Saturday, July 5. He had just started walking days before his death.
