At a Glance
- Jacqueline Hernandez, 35, was arrested after her 19-month-old son fell from her moving SUV.
- The incident occurred on Jan. 20 at the intersection of N. Euclid Street and W. Malvern Avenue in Fullerton.
- Hernandez posted $100,000 bail and was released at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
- The toddler was treated and released from the hospital; his current care status is unclear.
- Why it matters: The case highlights the risks of child safety in vehicles and the role of community witnesses in law enforcement.
The incident that led to Jacqueline Hernandez’s arrest unfolded on Jan. 20 in Fullerton, California, when her 19-month-old son was pulled from the passenger side of a moving SUV at the intersection of N. Euclid Street and W. Malvern Avenue. The vehicle stopped immediately, and Hernandez emerged from the car to pick up her child from the ground. The boy was later treated and released from a local hospital.
Incident Overview
The Fullerton Police Department first received information about the incident after a witness posted a video online. The video, which shows the SUV stopping abruptly and Hernandez retrieving her son, quickly went viral. A witness, mother of four, reached out to the police over the weekend, prompting investigators to locate Hernandez and file an arrest.
Key Facts
- Vehicle: Moving SUV
- Location: Intersection of N. Euclid Street and W. Malvern Avenue, Fullerton
- Time of Incident: Not specified, but the vehicle stopped immediately after the fall
- Witness: Natalie Quintanilla
- Bail Posted: $100,000 at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday
Arrest and Bail
Hernandez was arrested last Saturday, the same day the incident occurred. She was charged with child endangerment, a misdemeanor that carries up to a year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The arrest followed the police’s investigation of the viral video and the witness report.
She posted bail of $100,000 early Tuesday morning and was released from custody. The bail amount was set by the Fullerton Police Department after reviewing the severity of the alleged offense and the risk of flight.
Witness and Community Response
Natalie Quintanilla, the witness who brought the incident to the police’s attention, expressed a mix of emotions:
“I felt a mixture of emotions anywhere from anger, to worry to shock because it’s something that could have easily been avoidable,” she said Tuesday.
A neighbor of Hernandez, who declined to be identified, offered a different perspective. “Sometimes we do make mistakes,” the neighbor said. “I can almost guarantee you there’s no way that will happen again with her. No way,” the neighbor added.
The community’s reaction underscores the tension between accountability and compassion when a parent’s child is involved in a potentially dangerous situation.
Current Status and Legal Process
Hernandez has not yet been officially charged by the Orange County district attorney’s office. The office has stated it is reviewing the case and has not released any formal charges. The investigation is ongoing, and the final determination of whether Hernandez will face criminal liability remains pending.
The incident also raises questions about the legal thresholds for child endangerment. Under California law, child endangerment requires that a person place a child in a situation that endangers the child’s safety. Whether Hernandez’s actions meet that threshold is part of the district attorney’s review.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | Incident occurs; video circulates online |
| Jan. 20 | Witness contacts police; arrest made |
| Jan. 21 | Bail posted; Hernandez released |
| Jan. 22 | District attorney reviews case |
Key Takeaways
- The case illustrates how quickly a viral video can lead to law enforcement action.
- Community witnesses play a pivotal role in bringing incidents to police attention.
- The legal outcome depends on the district attorney’s assessment of the child endangerment charge.
- Parents must remain vigilant about child safety, especially when vehicles are moving.
- The situation remains unresolved, with no official charges yet filed.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities parents have toward their children’s safety and the legal consequences that can follow when those responsibilities are perceived to be neglected.
