A tragic case has emerged in Sun Valley, California, where a 13-year-old boy named Oscar Omar Hernandez was found dead, and authorities have charged his soccer coach with murder. The young boy reportedly died from acute alcohol poisoning, raising serious concerns about the circumstances leading to his death.
Oscar, known as Omar, had traveled to the Antelope Valley to visit his coach, Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, 43, who was previously accused of sexual abuse involving minors. When Omar did not return home, his family reported him missing. Tragically, his body was discovered in a roadside ditch in Oxnard in early April.
Omar’s family is understandably devastated. Their attorney, Michael Carrillo, expressed the family’s anguish, stating that the news of alcohol intoxication adds to their grief. "First he was missing, then he was found in a ditch, and now they come to discover it was alcohol intoxication," Carrillo said.
Garcia Aquino has been charged with murder, which includes special circumstances related to committing lewd acts with a child. He is currently facing the possibility of the death penalty. During his court appearance, he pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court in August.
Compounding the tragedy, Garcia Aquino is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador. Law enforcement sources have indicated that he had been the subject of previous investigations regarding misconduct with minors. Despite earlier allegations, he was not charged until shortly before Omar’s death, which has led to questions about the handling of such cases by authorities.
Omar’s death has sparked discussions about community safety and the responsibilities of youth sports organizations. Many in the community are grappling with feelings of insecurity and betrayal, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight of coaches and mentors who work with children.
As the investigation continues, the Hernandezes are left to mourn their son, grappling with the loss and the circumstances surrounding it. The community is rallying around them, highlighting the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting children.