The trial of a Californian mother accused of leaving her young child in a sweltering vehicle while she indulged in a spa visit is underway, stirring public interest and concern.

Maya Hernandez is currently facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, willful cruelty, and involuntary manslaughter, following the tragic death of her 1-year-old son, Amillio Gutierrez. The case has drawn considerable attention as the details unfold in court.

On Tuesday, Isabel Carreon, an employee at Always Beautiful Med Spa in Bakersfield, provided crucial testimony. She recounted the events of June 29, the day Amilio and his 2-year-old sibling were left unattended in Hernandez’s car.

Carreon described how Hernandez arrived at the spa for a lip filler appointment, a procedure that normally takes about 15 minutes. However, due to a busy schedule at the spa, Hernandez ended up spending several hours there.

According to ABC 23, while at the spa, Hernandez engaged in conversations with other patrons, discussing plans for the Fourth of July. Notably, she did not mention that her children were left in the car, a detail that has become a focal point in the trial.

Carreon told the court that after the procedure, Hernandez went back to her 2022 Toyota Corolla hybrid to get her phone, in order to pay.

When Hernandez hadn’t returned around 15 minutes later, Carreon walked to her own vehicle to get her phone charger and to see if Hernandez left without paying.

“She was sitting in the driver’s seat,” Carreon testified, according to Court TV. “The girl had the baby in her arms.”

Carreon said she told Hernandez to take the child, identified as the 2-year-old, inside the spa, where a registered nurse could check on him. Carreon stated that she then noticed a second child in the backseat.

When questioned by the prosecution, Carreon acknowledged that it did not appear as if Hernandez acted with urgency. She didn’t see Hernandez contacting 911 and didn’t see her performing CPR. She also wasn’t crying or screaming for assistance.

However, Hernandez did take the 2-year-old inside the establishment for treatment.

Earlier this week, the prosecution said Amilio had a 107.2 degrees when he arrived at an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Her other child had a temperature of 99 degrees, but survived.

The defense is challenging the murder charge but will accept the manslaughter and cruelty to children charges, Bakersfield Now reports.

Hernandez previously told investigators that she left the air conditioning on in the car, but a vehicle manufacturer expert told Bakersfield police that it automatically turns off after an hour of inactivity.

“Hernandez went into the business around 2:00 p.m. for what she thought was a 15-minute medical procedure,” the defense said.

“She left her kids in their car seats with cookies, a bottle of milk each, and with Mateo, she left her phone so that he could watch TV. Before she went into the business, Ms. Hernandez left her keys under the seat. The car was running. The air conditioning was on.”

Prosecutor Stephanie Taconi told the court Monday that Hernandez chose her own vanity over her children, “so she could work on her looks.”

Taconi told the court that an employee told Hernandez the children were allowed to stay in the child-friendly waiting room while she had the procedure done.

Other children were in the waiting room on the day in question. One parent asked Hernandez to watch her child while she went to the restroom, according to the prosecution.

Further, a friend reportedly said they offered to watch the children.

“There are no accidents in this case. This isn’t a case of a forgotten child whose mom was in a hurry. These were intentional actions, done willfully by the defendant,” Taconi said.

Hernandez has pleaded not guilty.

Check back for updates.

[Feature Photo: Amilio Hernandez/Family Handout]