ANAHEIM, CA – In another devastating instance of impaired judgment due to alcohol, 42-year-old Sandra Hernandez is now facing charges of child neglect and involuntary manslaughter. Hernandez was reportedly found intoxicated in her Ford Expedition during a heatwave with her 3-year-old daughter Ily Ruiz in the backseat, who died from heatstroke-induced trauma.
Emergency responders discovered multiple alcohol bottles in the vehicle, with Hernandez exhibiting a blood alcohol concentration almost four times the legal limit. Ily Ruiz was pronounced dead at a local hospital following the duo’s admission.
Sadly, Hernandez is no stranger to heartbreak, having already lost two sons in a tragic accident involving an inebriated driver when their camping tent was hit. Charges in the latest incident do not suggest a deliberate act of murder or that she intended to commit suicide.
Juan Ruiz, father of the deceased child, voiced his frustration, indicating that he had alerted Hernandez’s family of her battle with alcoholism that was driven by depression. However, his warnings fell on deaf ears. While he feels immense anger towards his estranged wife, he firmly believes that this was a tragic accident.
In the wake of this tragedy, Hernandez remains in custody, with her bail set at $150,000.