Before tragedy struck the Hernandez family of Sun Valley, 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez was a popular student at Sun Valley Magnet School who also enjoyed participating in an afterschool club for teens near his home.
Universally described as a “happy, outgoing kid,” Oscar frequented the Sun Valley Recreation Center to meet with fellow teens, go on group field trips and play his favorite pastime: soccer.
Tragically, Oscar was found dead on April 2 in Ventura County – his body was discovered off to the side of a road near Leo Carrillo State Beach. His family last saw him March 28, before he took a Metrolink train to meet his soccer coach Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino in Lancaster. He had reportedly invited Oscar and offered to pay him to help make soccer jerseys for the team.
Garcia Aquino was charged with first-degree murder in Oscar’s death April 7. His arraignment will be April 30 in downtown Los Angeles. He currently remains in custody without bail.
‘Not Just Another Statistic’
Jennifer Romo, a paraprofessional at Isana Cardinal Academy in Sun Valley, where Oscar attended fifth grade before graduating to Sun Valley Magnet, described him as “a wonderful kid – he was always a little mischievous, but in the best way possible.”
“Aside from him being an amazing student and an amazing classmate, which he was, I think the only other thing I really want to emphasize is that hopefully he’s not just another statistic. Hopefully, he’s not just another story that makes the headlines,” Romo told the San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol. “This was a human being who had such a wonderful life ahead of him, and we hope that some change happens from this, because what happened could have been prevented.”
Romo said she hopes if there was any negligence related to the investigations of two alleged sexual assaults that were reported by two other teens in 2022 and 2024 against Garcia Aquino that the truth will eventually come to light. Garcia Aquino was not charged with those two crimes until April 2 and April 8, after Oscar’s body was found in Oxnard earlier this month.
“If [Oscar] needed to become the voice for other kids – to give them the courage to speak out about what is happening to them – hopefully something positive can come from this tragedy,” added Romo. “The other big universal message that we can take from this is to always take care of your kids. We think people can be trusted, but [they can’t]. Literally protect your babies.”
Remembering Oscar
Before friends and loved ones started arriving for Oscar’s funeral Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Hollywood on April 12, a small group of his closest family members honored Oscar’s memory with a private rosary led by the Rev. Roberto Rueda.
Despite the somber tone, Rueda described the service as a “celebration of Oscar’s life.”
Throughout the afternoon rosary and public funeral service, relatives shed many tears and shared multiple hugs. They also had provided physical assistance for Oscar’s distraught mother, Gladys Bautista, who fainted several times during the services and as the mourners exited the church after the Mass.
Genesis Viera, who attended school with Oscar at Sun Valley Magnet, described him as a great friend.
“He was just very nice,” recalled Viera, as she quietly fought back tears. “We would always play soccer together at school. I just can’t believe that he’s really gone.”
“We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of our beloved son Oscar Omar Hernandez Bautista,” said the Hernandez-Bautista family in a statement released by the LA Archdiocese. “His bright spirit and love for soccer brought joy to everyone who knew him. We are heartbroken that someone entrusted with his care could commit such a horrific act. We ask for privacy as we grieve. Thank you for your support and understanding during this unbearable time.”
The family decided to hold a private graveside service and burial for Oscar.
Authorities are encouraging other possible victims of Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino to call the LAPD at (818) 374-5415, or the LA County Sheriff’s Department at (877) 710-5273.
Anonymous tips can be provided via the LA Regional Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
13 years old traveling alone?
To many parents/care takers allow their children to travel alone and walk to school and I feel this is too much of a risk. I understand that many have to work and so on but risking their lives comes with consequences that can be avoided.
There are predators everywhere just lurking. In a New York subway train a man who appeared sleeping but actually was deceased was sexually assaulted. Sadly we can’t trust so easily. People will take advantage. I wonder if his background was checked before allowing this man to be a coach ? My condolences to his family.
When will we understand that mercy to the violent is always misplaced, and never paid forward. They are an unending fountain of excuses, blame for others, and repeat offenses.