California mom convicted after son dies in hot car while mother got lip fillers: 'Defendant chose her looks'

A 20-year-oldCalifornia momwas found guilty Wednesday in the death of her 1-year-old son, after reportedly leaving him in a sweltering car to receive lip and butt injections last June.

Maya Hernandez took a plea deal in the child endangerment case, ultimately dropping her first-degree murder charge in exchange for involuntary manslaughter.

On June 29, Bakersfield officers arrested and charged Hernandez after finding two young children left unattended in a vehicle for over two hours, according to a police report posted on a GoFundMe page. Authorities said the mother left the children unattended to undergo a cosmetic procedure inside a nearby medical spa.

While her youngest waspronounced dead, her two-year-old boy remained in stable condition and was placed in protective custody, police said.

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Officers noted thattemperatures in Bakersfieldat the time ranged from 99 to 101 degrees, suggesting that the inside of the vehicle could have quickly reached deadly levels.

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According to the GoFundMe page organized by the father's sister, the deceased child was identified as Amillio Guierrez. The aunt further noted that the father was incarcerated at the time of the incident, indicating that the surviving child was left without either parent during the tragedy.

Hernandez was originally charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, child cruelty and child endangerment counts,Court TVreported.

During the trialin December, prosecutor Stephanie Taconi slammed Hernandez for choosing her "looks" above her children.

"Putting her vanity, her looks, her desire to feel beautiful above her children was wrong," Taconi said. "Not only was it wrong, but it was criminal."

The defense argued that Hernandez's actions were not callously negligent, emphasizing that she had left the engine running specifically to keep the air conditioning on. However, Hernandez, who drove a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, was reportedly unaware of a safety feature designed to automatically shut off the engine after one hour.

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The defense added that the mother left her children in their car seats with cookies and a bottle of milk each. She also gave her older son her phone so he could watch videos.

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Prosecutors further challenged the defense, characterizing Hernandez's actions as a deliberate series of choices. Despite being told by medical spa staff that the children were welcome inside, she reportedly turned down the accommodation. In addition, prosecutors said Hernandez declined to reach out to relatives for assistance because she "didn't want to irritate" her sister.

Hernandez "chose to leave them in the car. She chose a break. She chose time to herself. She chose time to socialize with other adults," Taconi said. "And again, that choice cost Amillio his life."

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Upon returning to her vehicle following the appointment, Hernandez reportedly noticed that Amillio appeared "off," according toLaw & Crime.

Witnesses reported that Hernandez carried her "limp" and "purple" 1-year-old into the medical spa, while another witness stated that the 2-year-old boy "looked like he was going to have a stroke," the outlet said.

Amillio was then rushed to the hospital, where he was found "pale with blue lips, feet and hands, unconscious and with no pulse," staff reportedly said, adding that the child was found to have a dangerously high temperature of 107.2 degrees.

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Despite lifesaving measures, Amillio was pronounced dead.

Hernandez will spend a maximum of 15 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 5.

Original article source:California mom convicted after son dies in hot car while mother got lip fillers: 'Defendant chose her looks'

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February 15, 2026

California mom convicted after son dies in hot car while mother got lip fillers: 'Defendant chose her looks'

A 20-year-oldCalifornia momwas found guilty Wednesday in the death of her 1-year-old son, after reportedly leaving him i...

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Israeli move to designate large parts of West Bank as state land condemned as ‘de facto annexation’

The Israeli government has advanced the registration of territory in theoccupied West Bankas state land in a move that Palestinians have decried as "de facto annexation."

For the first time sinceIsrael occupied the territory in 1967,the government will create a mechanism to officially register large swaths of land under the state.

Israel's Foreign Ministry defended the move as an "administrative measure" which would "bring order" to land registration. But government ministers made clear the intent was to increase settlement and entrench Israel's grip on the land.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalal Smotrich said the land registry would continue "the settlement and governance revolution across all parts of our land" as he referenced Judea and Samaria, the biblical term for the West Bank. And Justice Minister Yariv Levin said Israel is "committed to strengthening its hold over all parts of our land, and this decision expresses that commitment."

The government's new measure will apply to what is known as Area C of the West Bank, about 60% of the territory and home to an estimated 180,000-300,000 Palestinians and to a settler population of at least 325,500, according to Israeli human rights group Btselem.

The Palestinian Presidency said the decision violated international law and amounted to "de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territory." In a statement, the president's office warned that the move was a "declaration of the annexation plans aimed at entrenching the occupation through illegal settlement activity."

Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan in the 1967 war and subsequently began establishingJewish settlementsthere, which are considered illegal under international law, by the United Nations and by much of the international community. The UN also regards the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territory, which the Palestinians seek for a future state.

Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, described the government's move as "a massive land grab in the West Bank … completely against the will of the people and contrary to Israel's best interests."

The Israeli government approved the measure despite US President Donald Trump's stated opposition to annexation of the West Bank.

"We warn President Trump - Netanyahu is deceiving you! You said you wouldn't allow annexation, but he's carrying it out right under your nose," Peace Now said, adding that the move would lead to the dispossession of thousands of Palestinians from their land.

"The process requires landowners to prove ownership in ways that are almost impossible for most Palestinians to do; if they fail, the land will be automatically registered as state land," Peace Now asserted.

This latest measure comes after Israel's securitycabinet approved a move last weekthat expanded Israeli rule and governance over the West Bank. The move drew international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it as a flagrant violation of international law and the European Union saying it is a "step in the wrong direction."

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February 15, 2026

Israeli move to designate large parts of West Bank as state land condemned as ‘de facto annexation’

The Israeli government has advanced the registration of territory in theoccupied West Bankas state land in a move that Palestinians have d...

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North Korea opens new housing district for families of Ukraine war dead

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) —North Koreasaid Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, the latest effort by leaderKim Jong Unto honor the war dead.

State media photos showed Kim Jong Un walking through the new street — called Saeppyol Street — and visiting the homes of some of the families with hisincreasingly prominent daughter,believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, as he pledged to repay the "young martyrs" who "sacrificed all to their motherland."

In recent months, North Korea has intensified propaganda glorifying troops deployed to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine, such as establishing a memorial wall and building a museum. Analysts see it as an effort to bolster internal unity and curb potential public discontent.

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Kim in recent months has sent thousands of troops and large quantities of military equipment, including artillery and missiles, to fuel Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine,as the leaders align in the face of their separate confrontations with Washington.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers last week it estimates that about 6,000 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during their deployment in the war, but did not provide a breakdown of fatalities. The agency said last year it believed roughly 600 had died.

The spy agency believes North Korean forces are benefiting from the war by gaining modern combat experience and Russian technical support that could improve the performance of their weapons systems, according to lawmakers who attended last week's closed-door briefing.

The construction of the new street comes as North Korea prepares to open amajor ruling party congresslater this month, where Kim is expected to announce his major goals in domestic and foreign policy over the next five years and take further steps to tighten his control.

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February 15, 2026

North Korea opens new housing district for families of Ukraine war dead

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) —North Koreasaid Monday it completed a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North K...

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Cynthia Erivo Addresses Ariana Grande Romance Rumors: 'There Was This Strange Fascination With Us'

THE RUNDOWN

• Cynthia Erivo was asked about her relationship with Ariana Grande in a new interview.

• The Wicked star said that she thinks people rarely see close female friendship.

• Grande has also commented on their viral moments while doing press for the films.

During the press tour forWickedandWicked: For Good, starsCynthia ErivoandAriana Grandewere often side-by-side for seemingly endless press events and red carpets. A few moments they shared on camera during this time went viral and it was noted how close they were while often in physical contact. Some fans even suggested there might be a romance brewing, though Grande is in a relationship with actorEthan Slaterand Erivo is datingLena Waithe.

In a new interview withStylist, Erivo addressed the rumors, reflecting on how friendship between women is often perceived on the outside.

"At first, I think people didn't understand how it was possible for two women to be friends—close—and not lovers," she shared. "I've never really spoken about this, but there was this strange fascination with the two of us, where people either thought we were putting it on for the cameras or that we were lovers."

The Broadway star continued, "I think it's because there's such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere. We're not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people. A relationship where people are connected sometimes just makes people uncomfortable; we aren't taught that those relationships are good for us."

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Grande has discussed their connection in the past as well, including hand-holding on Amy Poehler'sGood Hangpodcast.

"I do, I do. I channel a lot of energy through my hands. And so I'm always holding a hand," she said. "I'm always, like, squeezing a something, as you've learned. I'm always reaching for something sometimes."

She added, "Yeah, I like to channel support and energy... I didn't even notice that it was a thing about me until that thing happened."

Grande was referring to an interview withOutwhere she grabbed Erivo's finger during an odd moment when they were both a bit confused about how to respond.

"Yeah, because I didn't know what the fuck was going on," Grande admitted. "I just wanted to be supportive. I was like,oh my God.And it felt sweet. It felt beautiful. And it was beautiful."

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THE RUNDOWN Cynthia Erivo was asked about her relationship with Ariana Grande in a new interview. The Wicked ...

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