A Missouri mother and her ex-partner are facing charges of second-degree murder following the tragic death of their two-month-old daughter. Stephanie Hernandez, 29, and Jonathan Gaona, 33, have also been charged with abuse or neglect of a child related to the infant’s death that occurred on February 11, 2025.
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The developments in this case come a year after Hernandez notably created a GoFundMe page in an attempt to raise funds for her daughter’s funeral. Initially, the page aimed to garner public support through donations, but after a thorough investigation, Hernandez now finds herself behind bars.
Details surrounding the events leading to the infant’s death paint a grim picture. According to a probable cause affidavit, the child was left in Gaona’s care the day before she died. Reports indicate that he allegedly left the infant unattended in a bathtub filled with hot water, contributing to the eventual injuries that led to her death. Gaona reportedly claimed he had been responsible for watching six children while Hernandez was at work, which included his own five children and Hernandez’s daughter from a previous relationship.
It has been detailed that Gaona left the two-month-old baby in her own urine for an extended period, allegedly up to half a day. When he finally checked on her, he noticed her skin was peeling, prompting him to apply cream and subsequently baby powder in a misguided attempt to relieve her discomfort. Stipulations in the affidavit reveal that there were also distinct injuries to the infant’s ears which Gaona attempted to dismiss as accidental before later admitting to shaking the baby in frustration.
Gaona is quoted as saying that he felt “stressed” while caring for the children, and eventually acknowledged that he “did it on purpose” during a moment of overwhelming emotion driven by the crying children. This confession raises serious concerns about his mental state at the time and his suitability as a caregiver.
Upon Hernandez’s return home, the affidavit states she evaluated the condition of her daughter. In what many may find shocking, she decided that medical attention was not necessary and chose to treat the baby’s sores with corn starch. Reports suggest that she left to spend the evening with another man that night, who is believed to be the infant’s biological father.
The following morning, Gaona reportedly discovered that the baby had died. A subsequent examination by the Greene County medical examiner led to the determination of the manner of death as homicide, citing thermal burns as the primary cause. Additional contributing factors noted included blunt force head injuries, acute pneumonia, and methamphetamine toxicity. This toxicological aspect complicates an already tragic narrative and suggests a deeper set of issues at play.
Both Hernandez and Gaona entered not guilty pleas to all charges during a court appearance on Monday. As proceedings develop, they are facing a bond review scheduled for March 11.
This case not only highlights the tragic loss of life but also underscores critical questions regarding child welfare and the responsibilities of caregivers. The allegations and the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death reveal a need for reflection on how such dire situations can be prevented in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, the broader community may continue to seek answers regarding how two individuals could allegedly subject a vulnerable child to such severe harm, and what steps can be taken to avoid similar tragedies in the future.