A California mother, Sandra Hernandez, is facing charges after allegedly passing out drunk in her car while her 3-year-old daughter, Ily Ruiz, died in the backseat amid 104-degree weather. According to authorities, Hernandez, 42, had several bottles of alcohol in her Ford Expedition when a relative discovered her and her daughter inside the vehicle in Anaheim on Friday, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Both Hernandez and her daughter were rushed to a nearby hospital, where Ily was pronounced dead from suspected heat stroke, police said. Hernandez was found unconscious in the car, with her blood alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit, according to KTLA.
Despite the tragic circumstances, authorities do not believe the incident was an attempted murder-suicide. Hernandez has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and child neglect and could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Ily’s grieving father, Juan Ruiz, spoke to the Daily Mail about the heartbreak of losing his daughter and the pain of his estranged wife’s struggle with alcoholism and depression. “I told her family that she needed help, but nobody listened to me,” Ruiz said, expressing both anger and sorrow.
“In my heart, it was not done intentionally, but it doesn’t change the fact that she did it,” he said. “I am angry … I’m angry at her family for not listening to me. I hate her so much right now. I hate her and I feel bad for her.”
Ruiz emphasized that, despite his emotions, he does not believe Hernandez would have intentionally harmed their daughter. “Sandy’s a good mom. She would never do this on purpose. She would never hurt her baby,” he told the outlet.
This tragedy marks the second time the family has experienced devastating loss. In 2012, Hernandez and Ruiz lost two sons, ages 5 and 9, when a drunk driver crashed into their tent during a camping trip in North Dakota. Following that incident, Ruiz advocated for stronger penalties for driving under the influence.
After the loss of their sons, Hernandez and Ruiz went on to have two more children, including Ily, whose name stood for “I love you.” Reflecting on his daughter, Ruiz said, “She was my only girl. I never expected to have a girl.” Hernandez is currently being held on $150,000 bail as she awaits further legal proceedings.