After breaking the glass of the white Ford Expedition that was parked next to the mother’s residence in California, relatives rescued the limp child, who was three years old at the time, from the burning vehicle.
On Friday, September 6, the Anaheim Police Department issued a news statement stating that they think Ily Elizabeth Ruiz passed away as a result of problems resulting from heat stroke. However, she had already passed away. Her autopsy is still being prepared.
The charges against her mother, Sandra Hernandez-Cazares, include felony involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse causing great bodily injury, with an enhancement charge based on Ily’s age, according to online court information. According to the press release issued by Orange County prosecutors, Hernandez-Cazares was allegedly unconscious in the locked vehicle with “a blood alcohol content of nearly four times the legal limit.”
In a news statement, the prosecution said that Hernandez-Cazares and the father of their four children had advocated for more stringent DUI legislation after the tragic loss of their two young kids, who were killed by a drunk driver while they were camping in North Dakota in an incident that occurred in 2012.
ecalled the prior disaster and said in a phone conversation with PEOPLE that he had suffered a collapsed lung, flatlining, and had to be evacuated out the campers. He also stated that he had to be taken off the campgrounds by helicopter.
According to Ruiz, “They ought to have allowed me to pass away there as well.” I would never put myself through anything like this again.
Ily was referred to as “my princess” by the bereaved father, who had named his youngest kid after the acronym for “I Love You.” He recalled her “bubbly personality” and her fondness for “everything princesses,” particularly Elsa from Frozen.
The photographs and videos that he provided of his daughter and his son, Lazarus Ruiz, who is five years old, show the children participating in activities such as scrambling eggs and cooking hot dogs on the stovetop. The little girl is seen smiling at the camera while holding a fork.
Following the loss of his children, Cyris Alexander Ruiz, age 9, and Alaries Marcos Ruiz, age 5, he began to rebuild his life, and such peaceful days were a part of it.
During the process of choosing to have Ily, Ruiz remembers that they had a discussion regarding the possibility of Lazarus not growing up to be an only child. “However, at this point, I only have one child left.”
As far as Ruiz is concerned, Hernandez-Cazares, whom he had known since high school, had never really healed from the loss of their primary kids.
Two years ago, the couple decided to part ways.
According to him, “She would never intentionally do something like this to her daughter.” “But that does not alter the actions that are taken.”
After Lazarus’ kindergarten reported that he had not been picked up, family members looked for the mother, who was 42 years old, on September 6. According to the prosecution, the search was ordered by the kindergarten.
At around 4:20 p.m., authorities were sent to the 1300 block of North Fashion Lane. According to the prosecution, family and paramedics attempted to resuscitate Ily, who had passed away due to what the prosecution referred to as “extreme temperatures.”
Ily’s family discovered them inside the car, which prosecutors and police said was strewn with “empty alcohol bottles.” Doctors estimate that Ily had been deceased for many hours before they discovered themselves inside the vehicle.
The blood alcohol level of Hernandez-Cazares was measured at 0.30 when he was taken to the hospital, according to the prosecution.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement that such a “devastating tragedy” has “ripple effects of grief.” He also added, “A mother who was robbed of the chance to see two of her sons grow up because of the selfish decision of a stranger will have to live with the fact that she will never get to see her little girl grow up because of the choices she made.” Spitzer made this statement in reference to the “unimaginable pain” surrounding the tragic losses of her sons in 2012.
When their third kid passed away, everything changed in an instant, according to Ruiz, who had been working in an oil field in Texas to provide for his family. This was the second time that everything had changed in an instant.
In the aftermath of Ily’s passing, he resigned from his position and proceeded to California. On September 11, he went to a court in which he informed PEOPLE that he was granted partial custody of Lazarus, who had been first put in the care of an aunt by Child Protective Services.
During an interview that took place only a few days after the passing of his daughter, Ruiz said that his son had not yet learned that his sister had passed away. He explained that this was due to the fact that he wanted to “explain it to him,” and he added, “This is going to be difficult for him.” In order for my kid to emerge from this situation, it is imperative that I be there for him. My kid is dependent on me.
In the meanwhile, Hernandez-Cazares, who is now being detained at the Orange County Jail on a bail of $150,000, is facing a maximum term of twelve years in prison if he is found guilty of all counts, as recommended by the prosecution.
According to the information for the court that is available online, she had her first court appearance on Tuesday, September 10, and her arraignment and bail review are scheduled to take place on October 1.
The request for comment that was made by PEOPLE was not met with a response from her public defender, Catherine Gardner.
The mother of Ruiz’s children is not someone he wants to be maligned, according to Ruiz.
“When Sandy was in good health, she was a wonderful mother,” he adds. “She is in need of assistance; she would never intentionally do something like this.” There is no way I want people to despise her. Please don’t bother me with your hatred.
