Mario Garcia Aquino, soccer coach of Oscar Omar Hernandez, missing 13-year-old boy found dead in Oxnard, CA, charged with murder
Share and Follow

LOS ANGELES — A man identified by family members as the teen’s soccer coach was charged with murder in connection to the death of a 13-year-old boy in Southern California.

Mario Garcia Aquino, 43, was arrested Wednesday in an unrelated sexual assault case that was investigated last year by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, our sister station, ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles, learned. According to reports, the coach was questioned about the disappearance of Oscar Omar Hernandez.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. in regards to the murder case along with Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, Eyewitness News has learned.

Family searches for answers after missing teen found dead

Investigators found the boy’s body in Oxnard, in Ventura County, last Wednesday. The Los Angeles Police Department said Hernandez was reported missing Sunday by his family.

The teen boarded a Metrolink train to Palmdale to help a soccer coach at a complex there, his family told Eyewitness News. When he didn’t return home that night, the family worried and started looking for him. They reported him missing that day.

His body was found on the side of the road in Oxnard. The LAPD was assisted by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI during the investigation.

Police have not revealed what evidence led them to find his body more than 60 miles away in the remote area.

The teen’s mother is devastated over her son’s death. Gladys Bautista said she wants help finding the person responsible for what happened to her son.

Bautista described her son as a happy kid who loved soccer and was excited that he was about to receive his visa so he could return to visit relatives in Honduras.

Last Thursday, family and friends held a vigil where the teen’s body was found.

“He didn’t need to be treated like an animal. That was my son,” Bautista cried out in Spanish.

One of his friends there described him as the “nicest person.”

“He was just trying to have his own money and accomplish his goals in life,” another friend said.

That evening, friends and relatives paid tribute to the teen with a memorial outside his home in North Hollywood.

“He was always kindhearted. He had such a great personality, he was funny,” 12-year-old Melanie Samayoa said. “He would always bring out a smile to us, and like one of my friends said he’s such a great dancer, too.”

Detectives are still investigating. A cause of death is unknown.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump backs away from DEI case, but advocates survey a grim landscape

Trump’s Retreat from DEI: What It Means for Advocates Facing a Challenging Future

In a notable development, the Trump administration’s recent withdrawal from a lawsuit…
JSO: Overnight shootout in Moncrief leaves one person injured, another detained

Breaking: Moncrief Overnight Shootout Leaves One Injured, Suspect in Custody – Full Details Inside

An unsettling incident unfolded in Jacksonville, Florida, leaving the community on edge…
Hundreds of Border Patrol agents ordered to LEAVE Minneapolis

Hundreds of Border Patrol Agents Redeployed from Minneapolis

In a sweeping reshuffle prompted by Tom Homan, the so-called ‘little Napoleon’…
Whoopi Goldberg Empathizes With ‘Bridgerton’ Star Yerin Ha On ‘The View’: “People Make You Feel Like You Shouldn’t Be in a Romantic Relationship With a White Guy”

Whoopi Goldberg Discusses Racial Dynamics in Romance with ‘Bridgerton’ Actress Yerin Ha on ‘The View

This morning on The View, actress Yerin Ha received valuable advice from…
Feds charge 87 individuals in massive ATM 'jackpotting' operation linked to Tren de Aragua gang

Feds Crack Down on Tren de Aragua: 87 Charged in Nationwide ATM ‘Jackpotting’ Scam

Authorities have charged 87 individuals allegedly linked to the Venezuelan terrorist group…
Tiger Woods scores another pay day with clothing brand raking in cash

How Tiger Woods’ Apparel Line is Dominating the Fashion Game and Boosting His Earnings

Tiger Woods’ golf clothing line is setting its sights on collaborating with…
Gary Elementary School teacher's 'Go ICE' post on social media draws outrage from West Chicago School District 33 community

West Chicago School Community Outraged by Controversial ‘Go ICE’ Post from Gary Elementary Teacher

In West Chicago, Illinois, a recent social media post by an elementary…
Why hasn't body camera footage been released in Minneapolis ICE shootings?

Unveiling the Mystery: Delays in Minneapolis ICE Shooting Body Cam Footage Explained

(NEXSTAR) – In recent weeks, federal agents have been involved in two…