North Miami Beach, Florida — A South Florida mother has turned herself in to police following allegations that her boyfriend violently assaulted her young son, a nonverbal child with autism, leaving him fighting for his life. Authorities say the boy suffered catastrophic injuries and was found without a pulse inside a North Miami Beach home earlier this month.
Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, 32, surrendered to police on January 23, roughly two weeks after her 6-year-old son, Mason, was discovered in cardiac arrest on January 9, according to local authorities. Emergency responders performed CPR at the scene until the child regained a pulse before rushing him to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Child Found in Cardiac Arrest with Severe Injuries
Police said officers responding to the home found Mason unresponsive, with no detectable pulse. Though the child survived, medical evaluations revealed extensive and life-threatening injuries.
According to investigators, the boy suffered:
- Internal brain bleeding
- A fractured arm
- Severe bruising to the face and back
- Swelling to the head
- Lacerations to vital organs, including the liver, kidney, and spleen
Medical staff described the injuries as inconsistent with accidental trauma, prompting a deeper investigation into the circumstances inside the home.
Boyfriend Arrested After Conflicting Stories
Hernandez’s boyfriend, Daniel Eduardo Romero, 34, was arrested on January 11, two days after the child was hospitalized. Authorities say Romero repeatedly gave conflicting explanations for Mason’s injuries.
Initially, Romero told investigators the injuries occurred while the child was learning to ride a bicycle. However, police say he later changed his story after failing to produce the bike. Hernandez initially backed that account but later admitted Romero instructed her to repeat the claim.
According to arrest records, Hernandez later told investigators that the day before Mason was hospitalized, Romero said the child had been injured after hitting his head on a television. She reported leaving the home briefly and returning to find her son with additional injuries, which Romero allegedly blamed on the child running indoors while wearing socks.
Child’s Condition Deteriorated Rapidly
The following day, Hernandez noticed her son’s lips turning blue and told Romero to call 911. By the time first responders arrived, Mason was in full cardiac arrest.
Investigators say Hernandez later told police she believed Romero was responsible for the injuries. She described him as frequently frustrated with Mason due to behaviors related to his autism, and also said Romero became angry when their 5-month-old infant cried.
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History of Domestic Violence Alleged
Court records indicate that Hernandez and Romero have been in an on-and-off relationship since 2023 and share two children together. Hernandez told authorities that Romero had a short temper and anger issues, and alleged there had been previous incidents of domestic violence that were never reported.
Police records show Romero has two prior domestic violence convictions, adding to concerns raised by prosecutors.
Charges and Custody Status
Following Hernandez’s surrender, both she and Romero are now being held at the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.
Hernandez is being held on a $10,500 bond and faces multiple charges, including:
- Child abuse
- Child neglect with great bodily harm
- Providing false information to law enforcement
Romero is being held without bond and has been charged with:
- Two counts of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm
- Child neglect causing great bodily harm
- Providing false information to law enforcement
Defense Calls Mother a Victim
In a statement following Hernandez’s arrest, her attorney, Hugo Apellaniz, sharply criticized the decision to charge her.
“We are extremely disappointed that the police have decided to arrest and press charges against a mother who is nothing more than a victim,” Apellaniz said.
He added that authorities were aware Hernandez had also been abused by Romero.
“The focus is on her son’s health and recovery, and we look forward to her being vindicated.”
Investigation Ongoing
The case remains under active investigation as Mason continues to recover from his injuries. Prosecutors say the outcome will hinge on medical evidence, witness testimony, and the extent of Hernandez’s alleged role in concealing the abuse.
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