A California mother has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect after her 3-year-old daughter was found dead in the back of their car while she was passed out drunk inside. The tragic incident occurred on Friday in Anaheim, where temperatures reached a scorching 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Sandra Hernandez, aged 42, was discovered unconscious in her Ford Expedition by a relative alongside her daughter, Ily Ruiz. Both mother and child were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where the young girl was pronounced dead due to suspected heat stroke.
Authorities believe that Hernandez had a blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit at the time of the incident, as stated by KTLA. They do not suspect foul play, such as an attempted murder-suicide, and have charged her accordingly. If convicted on all charges, she could face up to 12 years in prison.
The girl’s devastated father, Juan Ruiz, spoke with the Daily Mail about his estranged wife’s struggles with depression, which he believes led her to turn to alcohol. He expressed his anger at both his wife and her family for not taking his warnings seriously. Despite this, he insisted that the incident was unintentional and that Hernandez would never intentionally harm their child.
Ruiz lobbied for stronger penalties for driving under the influence following a 2012 camping trip in North Dakota where a drunk driver killed their two sons, aged 5 and 9. The couple went on to have two more children, including Ily Elizabeth. Hernandez is currently being held on $150,000 bail.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing signs of depression and addiction in loved ones, and seeking help when needed. It also highlights the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot cars, even for short periods of time, as they are at risk for severe heatstroke or even death.
