Youth Soccer Coach Lured Teen Boy to Home, Dumped Body on Side of the Road: Cops

A 43-year-old soccer coach from the San Fernando Valley has been charged with the murder of a 13-year-old boy from Los Angeles, whose body was discovered last week after being reported missing by his family. Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino faces severe charges following the death of Oscar “Omar” Hernandez, who was last seen visiting the coach in Lancaster in late March.

Missing Teen Found Dead

Oscar Hernandez was reported missing on March 30 by his family after he failed to return home from a visit to Garcia-Aquino, his soccer coach. The 13-year-old had taken a train to Lancaster on March 28 to meet the coach, but by the time his family realized something was wrong, he was nowhere to be found. Police later discovered his body in Oxnard, California, on April 3, located off the side of a road near Leo Carrillo State Beach, far from where he had last been seen.

Charges Against Garcia-Aquino

Garcia-Aquino was arrested shortly after the discovery of Oscar’s body and charged with first-degree murder. The charge includes a special circumstance, alleging that the murder occurred during the commission of a lewd and lascivious act upon a child under the age of 14. In addition to the murder charge, Garcia-Aquino is facing separate assault charges for allegedly attempting to commit a sexual offense against a teenager at his Sylmar home in December 2022. He has also been charged with assault with intent to commit a lewd act involving a 16-year-old boy earlier this year. The suspect is currently in custody, and authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of Oscar’s death. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed deep sympathy for the Hernandez family and promised to hold Garcia-Aquino fully accountable. He also stressed the seriousness of the allegations, describing the acts as “brutal” and “heinous.”

Immigration Status and Calls for Justice

Garcia-Aquino’s arrest has drawn attention to his immigration status, with the Department of Homeland Security confirming that he is an undocumented immigrant. The department’s statement highlighted the gravity of the crime, with officials describing Garcia-Aquino as a “depraved illegal alien” who should not have been allowed in the country.

Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna and District Attorney Hochman both called for anyone with further information or potential victims to come forward. The authorities emphasized their commitment to protecting those who may be afraid to report crimes due to their immigration status, assuring full cooperation and support.

Oscar’s family has yet to comment publicly on the charges, but they did gather at the scene of the discovery to mourn their loss. At a press briefing, Oscar’s mother, Gladys Bautista, expressed her grief, crying out in Spanish, “He didn’t need to be treated like an animal. That was my son.”