Irving police investigators have charged Mauricio Hernandez with capital murder in the death of the newborn infant that was discovered on April 20. Initially, Hernandez was only charged with aggravated sexual assault; however, based on evidence gathered during the investigation, the charge of capital murder has been added.
The initial investigation started when the victim was taken to the hospital due to bleeding. Once the victim was at the hospital, she made an outcry statement about a sexual assault, being pregnant and giving birth to a baby at a soccer complex in Irving. The Irving Police Department was contacted at that point and an investigation was initiated. The infant was discovered a short time later and pronounced deceased.
During the course of the investigation, investigators learned that the victim was pregnant as a result of the sexual assault and that Hernandez was the suspect. Investigators have learned that Hernandez purchased pills and gave them to the victim with the specific intent of ending her pregnancy, which resulted in the circumstances that led to the death of the newborn infant. Hernandez was aware that the infant was alive after birth and he made no effort to help the infant.
Hernandez is in-custody at the Irving Jail and is being held without bail. A special staffing meeting comprised of members of a multi-disciplinary team will be scheduled sometime next week in order to determine the best course of action for the victim.
The dilemma here is if the 14-year-old should also be charged with a crime. Although she is definitely a victim in the case, she did see the newborn's "small hand in the blue water". Could she have grabbed the baby in time to save a his/her life? This will be a very tough call for the multi-disciplnary team. What do you think?
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