A soccer coach has been charged with homicide after a 13-year-old on his group was reported lacking by his household and later discovered useless, officers introduced on Monday.
Oscar Omar Hernandez, of the San Fernando Valley, was reported lacking by his household on March 30 after he “didn’t return dwelling from visiting an acquaintance in Lancaster,” Los Angeles police stated final week.
Oscar Omar Hernandez is seen in a photograph on a shirt worn by a member of the family throughout a press briefing in Los Angeles, April 7, 2025.
KABC
The teenager had gone to go to his soccer coach — 43-year-old Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino — two days earlier, in response to Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman.
Oscar was discovered useless on Wednesday within the metropolis of Oxnard, west of Los Angeles, off to the facet of a highway close to Leo Carrillo State Seashore, Hochman stated.
Garcia-Aquino was charged with homicide with particular circumstances on Monday, Hochman stated.
The suspect has individually additionally been charged with a felony rely of assault with intent to commit a lewd act in opposition to a 16-year-old boy, Hochman stated. Garcia-Aquino was arrested on Wednesday on that cost, which stemmed from an alleged incident in Palmdale on Feb. 22, 2024, authorities stated.
“These instances are tragic, and the Hernandez household, you could have our deepest sympathy for a loss that phrases can not even start to explain,” Hochman stated at a press briefing on Monday. “Our position, although, is to carry justice to this household and to carry the particular person chargeable for these brutal, heinous, unspeakable, unthinkable acts, maintain them accountable and prosecute and punish them to the total extent of the legislation.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Workplace shows a bulletin that includes photographs of Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino throughout a press briefing, April 7, 2025.
KABC
Hochman stated he doesn’t have any particulars on how Oscar was killed at the moment.
Garcia-Aquino is scheduled to seem in court docket on Tuesday, Hochman stated.
If convicted, the suspect faces a sentence of not less than life with out the potential of parole for the homicide cost or the loss of life penalty, Hochman stated. He additionally faces six years in jail if convicted of the assault cost, Hochman stated.
Authorities are asking any alleged victims of the suspect or anybody with data to return ahead.
The household of Oscar Omar Hernandez is seen throughout a press briefing in Los Angeles, April 7, 2025.
KABC
“There’s all the time a worry that there is extra victims, and we wish to make certain we account for everyone that is on the market,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated on the briefing.
Garcia-Aquina was a youth journey soccer coach with a boys’ soccer membership within the Sylmar space, in response to Luna. He had no reported prison historical past, the sheriff stated.
“If for some cause anyone fears coming ahead, at the same time as a youth or a household, as a result of you could be right here undocumented, we’re not going to ask about that,” Luna stated. “Please. You could come ahead. We are going to help you — whether or not it is our division, the Los Angeles Police Division, the LA County District Lawyer’s Workplace — any of us are going to wrap our arms round you and just be sure you get the suitable companies. We information you the proper method and we shield you as effectively.”
Household and pals maintain a vigil for Oscar Omar Hernandez in Los Angeles, April 3, 2025.
KABC
Oscar’s relations attended the press briefing however didn’t make a public remark.
Household and pals of Oscar paid tribute to the teenager on Thursday on the web site the place the physique was discovered on the facet of a highway in Oxnard.
“He did not should be handled like an animal. That was my son,” his mom, Gladys Bautista, cried out in Spanish, ABC Information’ Los Angeles station KABC reported.
