The California mother who left her three-year-old daughter to die in a scorching automotive was ‘drunk’ and ‘handed out’ within the driver’s seat, it was revealed on Tuesday because the kid’s grieving father got here to the mother’s protection.
Sandra Hernandez was arrested for involuntary manslaughter and baby neglect after falling asleep whereas locked inside a Ford Expedition amid sweltering warmth on Friday afternoon. Her younger daughter, Ily Ruiz, was within the backseat.
Ily’s heartbroken father Juan Ruiz broke his silence to defend the mother amid what has turn out to be the most recent tragedy for the household.
‘Sandy’s a great mother. She would by no means do that on goal. She would by no means harm her child,’ Ruiz informed The Each day Mail. ‘We already misplaced two infants.’
In 2012, the couple’s two younger sons ages 5 and 9 – have been killed whereas on tenting journey in North Dakota when a drunk driver plowed into their tent.
The household pictured collectively at Ily’s birthday celebration – dad Juan Ruiz, mother Sandra Hernandez, son Lazarus, 5 and daughter Ily, 3
Ruiz mentioned Ily was his solely daughter and he or she was daddy’s little woman. ‘She was my solely woman,’ he mentioned. ‘I by no means anticipated to have a woman’
Years after the lack of their sons, Ruiz and Sandra would have two extra youngsters, a son named Lazarus, now 5 and a daughter named Ily Elizabeth.
‘She was my solely woman. I by no means anticipated to have a woman,’ he mentioned. ‘I named her ILY -which stands for “I really like you” and my mother’s center identify was Elizabeth.’
He shared his delight of being a woman’s daddy: ‘She cherished all the pieces. Princesses’. Frozen She cherished serving to me prepare dinner.’
The daddy grew emotional whereas recalling how his daughter simply began calling him ‘Dah.. Dah.’
The mom has been booked into the Anaheim Police Division Detention Facility and was anticipated to be arraigned later this week.
A member of the family on the scene of the crime, had managed to tug the unconscious baby out of the SUV. Ily was rushed to the hospital by paramedics, however later succumbed to her accidents.
A number of bottles of alcohol have been discovered within the automobile.
He mentioned, ‘I named her ILY -which stands for ‘I really like you’ and my mother’s center identify was Elizabeth’
Ilya and her older brother Lazarus, 5, dressed up in costume throughout Halloween
Ruiz admitted that Sandra might have turned to alcohol after struggling by bouts of melancholy.
‘I informed her household that she wanted assist however no person listened to me,’ he mentioned.
Concerning his daughter’s tragic dying, the daddy mentioned: ‘In my coronary heart it was not performed deliberately, however it doesn’t change the truth that she did it.’
Ruiz was residing in Texas for his job on an oil rig. He separated with Sandra a couple of 12 months in the past, and he or she went again to California with their youngsters.
Regardless of the break up, the pair cared for each other and tried to boost their youngsters collectively. He would ship cash dwelling and go to them in California month-to-month.
‘I’m not going to talk badly about Sandra as a result of she’s not a nasty individual, he mentioned. ‘She wants assist.’
The dad, nonetheless, was outraged that these near the troubled mom merely stood by as she struggled.
‘I’m offended. It doesn’t change the truth that she did what she did. Proper? I’m offended at her household for not listening to me,’ he mentioned.
‘I’m offended however I’m making an attempt to be clear-minded right here and let you know guys that she would by no means do that on goal.’
Ruiz pictured together with his two younger sons – ages 5 and 9 – who have been killed by a drunk driver in 2012
Ruiz’s youngsters Lazarus and Ilya
Ruiz made a gut-wrenching TikTok video the day he realized the tragic information.
He shared with DailyMail.com his conflicted mind-set throughout an interview on Tuesday, solely days after the tragedy.
‘I hate her a lot proper now. I hate her and I really feel unhealthy for her. I hate her, and I really feel sorry for her. And, I hate the truth that it occurred, the best way that my child died.’
The mom now faces potential jail time however Ruiz mentioned he hopes they put her in protecting custody.
‘I’m involved for her properly being in there,’ he mentioned, ‘as a result of I understand how the jail works right here in California.’
