The prosecution continued building its case Tuesday in the trial of Maya Hernandez, who is charged with child endangerment and murder in the hot-car death of her infant son.
A Bakersfield detective testified that a re-enactment of the incident showed the car’s temperature rising 20 degrees in just 15 minutes after the vehicle automatically shut off. By the time Hernandez returned, the interior temperature had climbed to about 116 degrees.
The defense challenged the re-enactment, arguing it didn’t accurately reflect real conditions because no adults or children were inside the vehicle during testing—something they claim could affect heat absorption.
The detective said investigators couldn’t use real people due to safety concerns and limited time and weather conditions prevented bringing in outside experts.
A cosmetic spa employee also testified that she saw Hernandez sitting in the driver’s seat with her baby about 15 minutes after Hernandez went to retrieve her phone. She said the infant looked red and overheated, while Hernandez showed no urgency, didn’t call for help, and didn’t appear panicked.
The witness urged Hernandez to bring the baby inside the spa for first aid, then noticed a second child in the back seat who appeared weak and flushed. She carried the older child inside while another client called 911.
Two nurses from Adventist Health provided additional testimony.
A registered nurse said one-year-old Amilio arrived at the hospital intubated, pulseless, not breathing, and with a dangerously high body temperature of 107 degrees. She described him as pale and nearly blue.
Another nurse, who treated the older child, Matteo, reported that his temperature and behavior were normal. She explained that infants struggle more with temperature regulation, which likely contributed to the severe difference between the siblings’ conditions.
The trial will resume Wednesday morning as the prosecution continues presenting evidence.
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