BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Mother Maya Hernandez pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and was also convicted of two counts of child cruelty.
Amilio Gutierrez's father broke down in tears in a Bakersfield courtroom as the mother of his 1-year-old son was sentenced to 15 years in prison for leaving two young boys in a hot car, a decision that resulted in Amilio's death.
Maya Hernandez was sentenced after pleading no contest to involuntary manslaughter. She was also convicted at trial of two counts of child cruelty, one for each child.
"He was a good baby," Rosendo Gutierrez said.
It was the first time Rosendo Gutierrez attended court for the case surrounding his son's death. He was joined by family and loved ones of Amilio as Hernandez received her sentence.
Hernandez had traveled with the boys from Visalia to attend a cosmetic appointment in Bakersfield. Though she had been encouraged to bring the children inside the waiting area, Hernandez left them in the car for over two hours last June.
Amilio's paternal grandmother, Katie Martinez, addressed the court before sentencing, speaking to the impact the case had on the community and their family.
"I ask for you to hear his brother, family and to know that no sentence will ever keep his name out of our town and we will strive no other child ever again," Martinez said.
Judge Charles R. Brehmer acknowledged the difficulty of the case and addressed those in the courtroom.
"Amilio's not going to be forgotten, by anybody," Brehmer said.
Brehmer also expressed hope for those affected by the tragedy.
"I hope that there's some peace for everyone, because that's the only way to go forward," Brehmer said.
Both Rosendo and Martinez said they feel 15 years is not enough.
For Amilio's father, moving forward remains a painful and ongoing struggle.
"I expecting myself to come out of jail and thinking that they were going to be there, you know. But I'm trying. I'm really trying. I'm doing a lot for my other son. We're getting him the help that he needs. He does have a lot of issues that he's dealing with right now," Rosendo said.
WATCH OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE OF THE MAYA HERNANDEZ TRIAL BELOW:
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