Mother Arrested Following Child’s Death in Overheated Car

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept 9, 2024) - Anaheim Police detectives have arrested 41-year-old Sandra Hernandez of Anaheim following the death of her daughter while under her care.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, at around 4:20 p.m., Anaheim Police officers and Anaheim Fire & Rescue personnel responded to a medical emergency in the 1300 block of N. Fashion Lane. Upon arrival, they discovered an unconscious 3-year-old girl who had been removed from a parked vehicle by a family member. Life-saving measures were immediately performed before she was transported to a hospital for further treatment. An unconscious adult female was also found in the same vehicle and transported to the hospital.

Tragically, the 3-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital, with the preliminary cause of death suspected to be complications from heat stroke, though the official autopsy report is still pending.

During the investigation, the adult female was identified as Sandra Hernandez, the child's mother. Both had been inside a white Ford Expedition for an unknown period when a family member found them locked inside. At the time, the outside temperature was approximately 104°F. A search warrant led to the discovery of several empty alcohol bottles inside the Expedition.

Detectives interviewed Ms. Hernandez at the hospital. After being medically cleared, she was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. She was booked at the Anaheim Police Department Detention Facility.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.