Friends and family members held a funeral on Saturday to honor the 13-year-old boy killed in Ventura County.
They gathered at the Immaculate Constitution’s Immaculate Heart to honor Oscar Omar Hernandez, who was found to have been murdered on April 2nd.
Mario Ed Gardo Garcia Aquino, 43, a travel soccer coach at Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club near Silmar, has been charged in connection with Hernandez’s death.
From left: Oscar Omar Hernandez, 13, a resident of the San Fernando Valley, was found dead on April 2, 2025 in a ditch in a wooded area off the coast of Ventura County Road. A missing person was reported, discovered in Oxnard on April 2, 2025. (KTLA) A body that matches the description of a 13-year-old teenage boy reported missing on April 2, 2025, when found in Oxnard. 2025 (KTLA) families gathered for a rally and reported that a 13-year-old boy died missing on April 2, 2025. This can be seen in photos without dates. (Alejandra Hernandez) Oscar Omar Hernandez, 13, a resident of the San Fernando Valley seen in this undated photograph. (Alejandra Hernandez) The family met for a gathering and reported that the 13-year-old boy died on April 2, 2025. A candlelighting vigill was held outside the Sun Valley home on April 4th, 2025 to honor Oscar Hernandez. 2, 2025. (Alejandra Hernandez) Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino (43) is shown on this special message board, exhibited at a press conference held in downtown Los Angeles on April 7, 2025. Downtown Los Angeles on April 7th, 2025.
Hernandez’s family reported that he went missing after not returning home on March 30th. They repeatedly claimed that Garcia Aquino was the last person to see him alive after the boy got on the train to visit the man’s Antelope Valley house when he disappeared.
Hernandez had planned to make extra money by supporting the coach’s painted soccer jersey, his family said. However, when his family called his cell phone, the coach reportedly responded, saying that Hernandez was too busy to speak.
The family contacted law enforcement and three days later, on April 2nd, the boy’s body was found in a ditch in a forest area on the road in Oxnard.
Garcia Aquino is also charged in another sexual abuse case involving a 16-year-old boy in a February 2024 case, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
On April 7, he was charged with assault with intent to commit rape of a 16-year-old, court documents said.
He was also the subject of a 2022 investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department regarding alleged sexual assault on a minor, but was not charged as the victim refused to testify against him, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Both victims are said to have been linked to Garcia Aquino’s soccer coaching, The Times said.
On Saturday, April 12th, Hernandez’s family and loved ones gathered for the funeral. The boy’s mother was overwhelmed with grief and almost fainted as he approached the cas.
“It’s crazy to be able to become a football coach and coach all these little kids when he actually had this whole backstory,” said Andrew Barrios, a friend of Hernandez. “It’s heartbreaking to see your friends wandering around in cas.”
Hernandez was a seventh grader at Sun Valley Magnet School and was a great footballer, his friend said. His family moved from Honduras to the United States just three years ago.
According to the family, he first met Garcia Aquino at the Valley Plaza Sports Complex in North Hollywood.
Family and loved ones gathered at the heart of the Immaculate Confession at the Mary Catholic Church on April 12, 2025 to honor the family and loved ones of Oscar Omar Hernandez (KTLA) in East Hollywood. Church (KTLA) honoring Oscar Omar Hernandez, 13, in East Hollywood on April 12, 2025, in East Hollywood (KTLA) family and loved ones pay tribute to Oscar Omar Hernandez (KTLA) in East Hollywood on April 12, 2025. In East Hollywood on April 12th, 2025. (KTLA)
Garcia Aquino was charged with murder under special circumstances. He could face the death penalty. He is also an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, several law enforcement officials told the LA Times anonymously.
The boy’s family wants justice for his death. On the candlelight vigil on April 4th, his grieving mother said in Spanish, “probably my son gave his life to others to be exposed.”
The family issued a statement regarding the boy’s death. “We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of our beloved son, Oscar Omar Hernandez Bautista. His bright spirit and love for football have brought joy to everyone who knows him.
Garcia Aquino is scheduled to appear in court on April 30th. Investigators believe there may be more casualties there.
“There’s always a fear of more casualties and we want to explain everyone there,” said LA County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Anyone with suspects or information about the case will be asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office at 213-229-1700.
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