A California youth soccer coach has been charged with murder in the death of a 13-year-old player and with sexually assaulting another teenager, as authorities urge potential additional victims to come forward. Oscar Omar Hernandez, 13, was reported missing late last month after failing to return home from visiting his coach in Lancaster, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.
The boy’s grieving family stood beside officials as they detailed the charges against the coach, Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, 43. Garcia-Aquino faces one count of murder with special circumstances for allegedly killing Oscar “during the commission or attempted commission of lewd acts with a child,” according to the district attorney’s office. He has also been charged in a separate case involving a 16-year-old boy in February 2024, accused of felony assault with intent to commit a lewd act.
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If convicted, Garcia-Aquino could face the death penalty or life without parole for the murder charge, plus six years for the sexual assault charge. His arraignment was postponed Tuesday, with a new hearing set for late this month, according to People.
An amended complaint obtained by NBC News reveals additional charges involving a 14-year-old boy in December 2022, including felony assault with intent to commit rape and a lewd act upon a child.
Oscar’s body was discovered Wednesday on an Oxnard roadside, days after his disappearance. “You have our deepest sympathy for a loss that words cannot even begin to describe,” Hochman told the family. “Our role is to bring justice … and hold the person responsible for these brutal, heinous, unspeakable, unthinkable acts accountable.”
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Authorities urged other potential victims or witnesses to come forward, assuring that immigration status would not be questioned. “We must bring justice not only to this family but to any others victimized by this individual,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. Though investigative details remain limited, Luna confirmed Garcia-Aquino, from Palmdale, coached at the Hurricane Valley boys soccer club in Sylmar. Alejandra Hernandez created a GoFundMe account to aid in Oscar’s final expenses.
Friends remembered Oscar as a joyful, soccer-loving boy who brightened every room. “When he walked in, it just lit up the place. If someone was down, he’d make your day,” said friend Valentina Reese. Another teammate, Christopher Arldana, added, “He made everyone laugh. We played soccer together—he’d goof around and keep us smiling.” The case has sent shockwaves through the community as prosecutors vow to pursue maximum penalties.
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