Life is a bit of a whirlwind when your last name is a headline before you can even walk. Honestly, most people only know Avielle Janelle Hernandez as the toddler sitting in a mahogany courtroom chair, swinging her legs while a circus of lawyers and cameras swirled around her. It’s a heavy image to carry.
She was born on November 6, 2012. If you’re a fan of the New England Patriots—or at least you were back then—you might remember that date. It was her father’s 23rd birthday. For a minute there, it looked like a fairytale. Aaron Hernandez was the star tight end with a $40 million contract, and he’d just welcomed "daddy’s little girl" into the world. He told reporters she was the best birthday gift he could ever ask for.
Seven months later, the police were at the door.
What Really Happened With Avielle's Early Years
It’s wild to think about how much a person’s world can shift in less than a year. By the time Avielle was a toddler, her dad wasn't at Gillette Stadium; he was behind glass at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. Her mother, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, famously tried to keep things "normal." In interviews, Shayanna mentioned that Avielle had no clue her dad was in prison. She just thought he was "at work."
They’d visit him once or twice a week. They played cards. They colored. It’s heart-wrenching when you look back at the photos of a four-year-old Avielle at the 2017 funeral, clutching her mom's hand. She was just a kid caught in a storm she didn’t start.
The biggest misconception people have is that she’s somehow "broken" by her father's past. From what we can see through the small windows Shayanna provides on social media, that couldn't be further from the truth. Avielle isn’t a tabloid fixture; she’s a competitive dancer.
The Reality of Avielle Janelle Hernandez Today
Moving to Rhode Island was a big part of the fresh start. Shayanna has been pretty protective, which makes sense given the media frenzy. But she does share the occasional "mom post."
Basically, Avielle is a teenager now. She’s navigating middle school, friendships, and the kind of stuff every other kid deals with, just with a much weirder Google search history. She’s also a big sister. Shayanna had another daughter, Giselle, in 2018. The two girls seem super close, often appearing in matching outfits on Instagram.
One thing that keeps popping up in the news is the money. Being the daughter of a former NFL star comes with a trust fund, but it hasn't been smooth sailing.
The $10,000 Dance Class Controversy
Back in late 2022 and early 2023, things got messy in court. Shayanna requested $10,000 from Avielle’s trust fund to cover competitive dance lessons. The trustee, an attorney named David Schwartz, said no.
Why? Well, his argument was that Shayanna already receives about $150,000 a year from Aaron’s NFL pension and Social Security to cover "daily expenses." He pointed to some questionable spending—stuff like thousands of dollars at HomeGoods and clothing stores—and basically argued the trust shouldn't be a piggy bank for the household.
It’s a classic case of fiduciary duty versus a mother’s perspective. Shayanna’s legal team fired back, saying she’s just a devoted mom trying to provide a stable, high-quality life. It highlights a weird reality: Avielle is technically a "wealthy" heir, but she’s also a minor whose financial future is a tug-of-war between her mom and court-appointed lawyers.
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Following in Different Footsteps
While her dad was known for his physical dominance on the football field, Avielle has found her own rhythm on the stage. She’s been doing competitive dance since she was six.
- The Nutcracker: She played a mouse in a production years ago.
- Solo Performances: She’s won awards for her individual routines.
- Aspiration: Early on, she told her mom she wanted to be a professional dancer.
Shayanna often posts about how much Avielle looks like Aaron. She calls her "Daddy’s twin." But the hope—and the way she’s being raised—seems focused on making sure she doesn’t inherit his "demons."
Living With the "Suicide Note" Legacy
When Aaron Hernandez died by suicide in April 2017, he left three notes. One was for his lawyer, one for Shayanna, and one specifically for Avielle.
It was a strange, rambling letter. He told her "Daddy will never leave you" and talked about entering a "timeless realm." He told her to "believe." For a young girl, reading that must be a lot to process. It’s a heavy burden to be told your father is watching you from another dimension while the rest of the world is talking about the crimes he was accused of.
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Experts in child psychology often point out that children of high-profile criminals face a unique kind of "disenfranchised grief." People don't always know if they're allowed to feel sorry for them. But Avielle was an innocent bystander in every sense.
Moving Forward with Resilience
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the story of Avielle Janelle Hernandez, it’s about the "village." Shayanna has been vocal about the support system around them. There are male figures in her life—including Shayanna's partner, Dino Guilmette—who have stepped in to provide that guidance.
Avielle is now roughly 13 years old. She’s entering that age where she’ll start forming her own adult identity. She isn't just "Aaron Hernandez’s daughter" anymore. She’s a dancer, a sister, and a student.
Steps for understanding the situation better:
Understand that privacy is her biggest asset. While public curiosity is natural, the best thing for a teenager in her position is the ability to walk down a street without being "that girl from the documentary." If you follow the family on social media, remember that you’re seeing a curated highlight reel. The real work of healing happens off-camera. Supporting her means respecting the boundaries her family has set up to keep her life as "normal" as a $40 million legacy—and a tragic ending—will allow.