When a 13-year-old boy named Oscar Omar Hernandez boarded a train in late March 2025 to meet his soccer coach, his family thought he was just helping out with a team project. It seemed like a normal, productive Friday evening.
He never came back.
The subsequent investigation into Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino has ripped open a wound in the San Fernando Valley community, revealing a story that is as much about a tragic loss of life as it is about the systems designed to protect our children. This wasn't just a random act of violence; it was a betrayal of trust by a man who had deep access to the community's youth.
The Disappearance of Oscar Omar Hernandez
Oscar was a standout player for the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club. Like many kids his age, he looked up to his coach. On March 28, 2025, Oscar left his Sun Valley home to meet Garcia Aquino in Lancaster. The plan? To help the coach make soccer jerseys for the team.
When Oscar didn't return the next morning, panic set in. The family tried calling his phone, but there was no answer. Later, they received a text from Oscar's phone claiming he was at a party. It was a lie. His friends hadn't seen him, and there was no party.
Five days later, the search ended in the worst possible way. Oscar's body was discovered off the side of a road near Leo Carrillo State Beach in Ventura County.
📖 Related: Trump Approval Rating State Map: Why the Red-Blue Divide is Moving
Who is Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino?
For years, Garcia Aquino moved through the youth soccer scene in the Sylmar and Palmdale areas. He worked with multiple age divisions, positioning himself as a mentor and leader. To the families, he was "Coach."
Honestly, the details coming out now are chilling. Law enforcement sources, including those from ICE, have indicated that Garcia Aquino, 43, was in the United States illegally, having originally come from El Salvador. He had no prior reported criminal history, which allowed him to maintain his role in the soccer club without raising red flags.
But as investigators dug deeper, they found that Oscar wasn't the first victim.
A History of Allegations
While the murder charge is the most severe, the District Attorney’s office has since uncovered a pattern of behavior:
- The 2022 Incident: A teenager was allegedly assaulted at Garcia Aquino's then-home in Sylmar in December 2022.
- The 2024 Case: In February 2024, another 16-year-old boy was allegedly assaulted in Palmdale.
It turns out Garcia Aquino was actually arrested on that unrelated 2024 case on the very same day Oscar’s body was found. The 2022 case had been presented to prosecutors in 2023, but they reportedly lacked sufficient evidence at the time to bring it to court. It makes you wonder: if those charges had stuck earlier, would Oscar still be alive today?
👉 See also: Ukraine War Map May 2025: Why the Frontlines Aren't Moving Like You Think
The Legal Battle and "Special Circumstances"
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has pulled no punches in this prosecution. Garcia Aquino faces one count of murder with a "special circumstance" allegation—specifically, that the murder occurred during the commission or attempted commission of lewd acts with a child.
In California, that phrasing is a big deal. It makes him eligible for life without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
During his first court appearances in April and June of 2025, Garcia Aquino pleaded not guilty. His defense team, led by the LA County Public Defender’s Office, has stated they will "vigorously defend" against the charges, though they’ve offered little else in the way of a public narrative. He remains held without bail.
Why This Case Struck a Nerve
There are a few reasons why this specific case has stayed in the headlines. First, there's the immigration angle. Because Garcia Aquino was reportedly a "gotaway"—someone who entered the country without being apprehended—critics have used the case to blast current border policies.
Then there's the exploitation of vulnerable populations. Oscar’s brother, Josue Hernandez, has publicly stated his belief that the coach specifically targeted families who lacked legal status. The idea is that these families might be more hesitant to report suspicious behavior or go to the police for fear of deportation.
✨ Don't miss: Percentage of Women That Voted for Trump: What Really Happened
Sheriff Robert Luna has been very vocal about this, pleading with the community to ignore immigration status and come forward if they have information. "We are not going to ask about that," he said in a press conference. They believe there may be other victims out there who haven't spoken up yet.
What This Means for Youth Sports Safety
This tragedy has sparked a massive conversation about how we vet the people who work with our kids. Most youth soccer coaches in Southern California are supposed to be licensed through organizations like Cal South, which requires Department of Justice fingerprinting and background checks.
But "travel ball" and independent clubs can sometimes have blind spots. If a coach has no previous criminal record—as was the case with Garcia Aquino—those background checks don't always catch predatory behavior.
Actionable Steps for Parents
If you have a child in youth sports, you can't just assume the organization has done its due diligence. You've got to be proactive.
- Verify the Background Check: Don't just ask "do you do them?" Ask which agency they use and how often they re-screen.
- The "Rule of Two": No adult should ever be alone with a child. Period. If a coach asks your kid to come over to "make jerseys" or stay the night, that should be an immediate red flag.
- Trust the Gut: If your child suddenly loses interest in a sport or acts nervous around a specific adult, listen to them.
- Report Anonymously: If you have information about this specific case or any other suspicious behavior, you can use the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
The case against Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino is still moving through the court system as of 2026. While the legal process is slow, the impact on the Hernandez family and the Sun Valley community is permanent.
To help prevent similar tragedies, families should ensure they are familiar with the "SafeSport" training protocols often used by national governing bodies, which outline clear boundaries for coach-athlete interactions. Verifying that a club is officially sanctioned by a state or national association can also provide an extra layer of oversight and accountability that independent clubs may lack.