North Miami Beach, Florida – A North Miami Beach mother has been arrested following a disturbing child abuse investigation involving her 6-year-old son with autism, who was found in cardiac arrest and suffering from severe injuries. Authorities say the case centers on alleged abuse by the child’s mother’s boyfriend and the mother’s failure to protect or report the abuse.
Incident Overview
The mother, Cynthia Hernandez, 32, surrendered to police on Friday and now faces multiple criminal charges connected to the abuse of her son, Mason. Investigators say the child was beaten so severely that he nearly died.
Her boyfriend, Daniel Eduardo Romero, 34, was previously arrested and remains jailed without bond on multiple felony charges related to the incident.
Timeline of Events
The investigation began on January 9, when officers with the North Miami Beach Police Department responded to a home in the 1400 block of Northeast 179th Street following a report of a child in cardiac arrest.
Body camera footage released by police shows Mason, then reported as 5 years old, wrapped in a blanket and unresponsive, with no detectable pulse. One responding officer immediately began chest compressions.
After nearly 20 minutes of life-saving efforts, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived and successfully restored the child’s pulse before transporting him to Jackson North Hospital in critical condition.
Details From Police and Medical Findings
Doctors later documented extensive and alarming injuries, including:
- Internal bleeding in the brain
- Lacerations to the liver and kidney
- A broken arm
- Bruising covering nearly the entire body
According to arrest records, Romero provided multiple conflicting explanations about how Mason sustained the injuries. Detectives also learned Romero has two prior convictions for domestic violence, raising further concerns about a pattern of abuse.
Police previously stated that Hernandez had been cooperating with investigators and told officers that Romero frequently became frustrated with Mason due to the child’s neurodevelopmental condition.
Charges Filed
Authorities say Hernandez now faces charges including:
- Child neglect
- Failure to report child neglect
- Providing a false statement to law enforcement
Romero was arrested on January 11 and charged with:
- Aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm
- Child neglect with great bodily harm
- Providing false information to law enforcement
He remains in jail without bond, according to court records.
Attorney Statement and Defense Claims
Following Hernandez’s surrender, her attorney, Hugo Apellaniz, released a statement sharply criticizing the decision to arrest his client.
“We are extremely disappointed that the N.M.B. Police Department has decided to arrest and press charges against a mother who is nothing more than a victim. People are not perfect, but this is a dire mistake.”
Apellaniz claimed police were aware that Hernandez herself had been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of Romero.
“The police are aware that our client is also a victim, as unfortunately her son was as well. The focus is on her son’s health and recovery, and we look forward to her being vindicated.”
In the arrest report, Hernandez reportedly told detectives that Romero had a short temper and ongoing anger problems.
Family Reaction and Community Impact
Mason’s grandmother, Elizabeth Garcia, spoke emotionally about the case earlier this week.
“You hurt my child, you hurt my grandson to the core. You beat on a 6-year-old autistic boy like he was nothing.”
The case has drawn attention to the heightened vulnerability of children with disabilities and the critical responsibility of caregivers to report abuse. Child welfare experts stress that early reporting can save lives and prevent long-term trauma.
Officers Honored for Life-Saving Actions
Amid the tragedy, two officers were recognized for their heroic response. Officer Jonathan Hernandez, assisted by Officer Woobens Noel, performed continuous CPR until emergency medical crews arrived.
Police said their actions directly contributed to saving Mason’s life. Both officers were honored during a ceremony held Tuesday night.
Conclusion
The investigation into Mason’s abuse remains ongoing as both suspects face serious criminal charges. While the child continues his recovery, the case highlights the devastating consequences of unchecked abuse and the importance of protecting vulnerable children.
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, authorities urge residents to report concerns immediately to local law enforcement or child protection agencies. Share your experiences in the comments below.
