A youth soccer coach in Southern California has been charged with the murder of 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez, whose remains were found beside a road in Ventura County. Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, age 43, also faces charges related to the sexual assault of two other teenagers.
Hernandez was reported missing on March 30, 2025, after departing his Sun Valley, California, residence to meet Garcia-Aquino in Lancaster, California, on March 28. According to the boy’s family, he was helping the coach with soccer jersey production. His body was discovered several days later near McGrath State Beach in Oxnard, California, about 70 miles from his home. Authorities allege Garcia-Aquino killed the boy during or after an attempted lewd act, making him eligible for the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, according to this report.
Besides the murder charge, Garcia-Aquino is accused of sexual offenses involving two other minors. One incident pertains to a 16-year-old boy in Palmdale, California, in February 2024, and another involves a teenager aged 14 or 15 in Sylmar, California, in December 2022. These charges followed the completion of forensic evidence analysis and interviews with victims.
Garcia-Aquino coached the Hurricane Valley Boys Soccer Club in Sylmar, California. Authorities are examining whether he was properly licensed through Cal South, the California State Soccer Association. Additional potential victims are being sought by authorities, who have distributed photos of Garcia-Aquino to encourage others to come forward.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stressed that immigration status should not prevent potential victims from reporting. “No matter what your documentation status is, we have a young man that was killed, murdered,” Luna said. “That matters, and it should matter to everyone else out there.”
Garcia-Aquino, originally from El Salvador, is reportedly in the United States illegally. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on him, requesting notification before any potential release. However, California’s sanctuary laws generally limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, except in cases involving certain violent crimes.
Oscar’s mother, Gladys Bautista, expressed her grief during a news conference, stating, “He didn’t need to be treated like an animal. That was my son.” The family, who emigrated from Honduras, has questioned whether their immigration status made them more vulnerable.
Garcia-Aquino’s arraignment is scheduled for April 30. He is currently being held without bail. The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, representing Garcia-Aquino, has stated it will review the evidence and defend against the charges.
