When Oscar Omar Hernandez’s family left the 13-year-old with soccer coach Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, they expected him to return home as usual. Instead, the Los Angeles Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Garcia Aquino in the teenager’s murder. Oscar reportedly planned to help Garcia Aquino at a sports complex on March 28, 2025, but never returned home. His family contacted police and reported the teenager missing on March 30. Investigators found his body on the side of the road in Oxnard on April 2.
According to ABC 7, investigators discovered the teen’s body more than 60 miles from his last known location. The family told the police they had left Oscar with Aquino Garcia on a Metrolink train in Lancaster. They never saw him again. Investigators believe Garcia Aquino killed Oscar on March 28 and then dumped his body.
In addition to Oscar’s murder, Garcia Aquino also faces a felony assault charge with intent to commit a lewd act against a 16-year-old dating back to February 2024. Prior to the 2024 charge, Garcia Aquino reportedly did not have a criminal history, according to People. He worked as a travel youth coach for the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club with minors of various ages.
“The family subsequently filed a criminal report with the Palmdale Sheriff’s station alleging sexual abuse of their child,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a news conference. “This case was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau North team, who is tasked with investigating physical and sexual abuse of children, including adult felonious sexual assaults.”
During the course of that investigation, authorities learned of another investigation into potential child sexual abuse involving Garcia Aquino. Police urged any other victims to contact authorities.
“For some reason, anybody fears coming forward, even as a youth or a family, because you may be here undocumented, we’re not going to ask about that. Please, you need to come forward. We will assist you,” Luna said during the news conference.
Per a statement from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, police arrested Garcia Aquino, who has been charged with “one count of murder with the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission or attempted commission of lewd acts with a child, making him eligible for the death penalty.” If convicted, he faces a minimum of life in prison or the death penalty.
Alejandra Hernandez created a GoFundMe account to aid in Oscar’s final expenses. She shared on the fundraiser, “It is with deep sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Omar Hernandez, a beloved student of Sun Valley Magnet. As his family faces this unimaginable loss, we are coming together to support them during this difficult time.” The account has raised more than $17,000 of a $28,000 goal.
“No parent should ever have to endure the unimaginable pain and sorrow of learning their child has been murdered,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman shared in his office’s statement. “Oscar simply boarded a train and little did he or his family know that he would never return. Sexual predators who target victims for their own gratification will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
