Introduction to the Case
The parents of a 13-year-old boy allegedly killed by his soccer coach are suing the city and county of Los Angeles, claiming they failed to protect the teen from “grooming” before his death.
Oscar Omar Hernandez’s body was found off a road in Oxnard in April after he went to the Lancaster/Palmdale area to visit his soccer coach, Mario Edgardo Garcia Aquino, 43.
Circumstances of the Death
The Ventura County Medical Examiners’ Office ruled that the 13-year-old died due to acute ethanol intoxication also known as alcohol poisoning. Garcia Aquino was charged with the deceased boy’s murder as well as sexual assault against another teenager.
Lawsuit Against the City and County
In the lawsuit, Oscar Omar’s parents, Oscar Daniel Hernandez and Gladys Bautista Vasquez, blamed the city and county for approving Garcia Aquino’s Huracan Valley Boys Soccer Club to play at government-operated soccer fields, such as El Cariso Community Park in Sylmar and Whitsett Fields Park in North Hollywood, following “deficient and careless background check” on the soccer coach.
“The city of Los Angeles misled the public, including (Oscar Omar’s parents), by holding Mario Garcia Aquino out to be a trustworthy and reliable coach with no history of a criminal record,” the complaint said. “Although staff and administrators of the city of Los Angeles knew, or should have known, about Garcia-Aquino’s past history of child sexual misconduct, and/or criminal background.”
Failure to Perform Background Checks
The parents also claimed that the county of Los Angeles “failed to do a thorough background check,” ultimately allowing Garcia Aquino to “groom” Oscar Omar while county-operated parks. While Aquino Garcia had no criminal history at the time of Oscar Omar’s death, the coach was accused of sexually assaulting a 14 or 15-year-old child at his former residence in Sylmar in 2022.
Previous Allegations
When asked why Aquino Garcia wasn’t charged in the 2022 case, the LA County District Attorney’s Office said the case was presented to prosecutors in August, 2023, and said at the time the case needed additional forensic testing.
Seeking Damages
The teen’s parents seek unspecified financial damages for “the loss of love, companionship, affection” of their son, Oscar Omar. During the 2024 fiscal year, the city of Los Angeles paid out at least $320 million in liability claims and lawsuits. The county, in April, reached a $4 billion tentative settlement to resolve over 6,800 sexual abuse claims against the county, dating back to 1959.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against the city and county of Los Angeles highlights the importance of thorough background checks and the need for effective measures to protect children from potential predators. The case of Oscar Omar Hernandez is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence and the failure to ensure the safety of minors.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of Oscar Omar Hernandez’s death?
A: The Ventura County Medical Examiners’ Office ruled that the 13-year-old died due to acute ethanol intoxication, also known as alcohol poisoning.
Q: Who is being sued in the lawsuit?
A: The city and county of Los Angeles are being sued for negligence and failure to protect Oscar Omar Hernandez from “grooming” before his death.
Q: What is the lawsuit seeking?
A: The teen’s parents are seeking unspecified financial damages for “the loss of love, companionship, affection” of their son, Oscar Omar.
Q: Were there any previous allegations against the soccer coach?
A: Yes, the coach was accused of sexually assaulting a 14 or 15-year-old child at his former residence in Sylmar in 2022.
Q: What is the status of the soccer coach’s charges?
A: Garcia Aquino was charged with the deceased boy’s murder as well as sexual assault against another teenager.
