Authorities seek additional victims of suspect accused of killing a teenager

Authorities are asking for the public's support to identify additional potential victims of a soccer coach from Palmdale accused of killing a teenager. 

L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday that Mario Edgardo Garcia-Aquino, 43, was charged of murder with special circumstances for the killing of 13-year-old Oscar Omar Hernandez.

Hernandez went to meet with Garcia-Aquino in his home in Lancaster on March 28, 2025. Two days later the teenager was reported missing and on April 2 his body was found near Leo Carrillo State Beach. 

Hochman also announced Garcia-Aquino is being charged with felony assault with intent to commit a lewd act against another teenager on February 22, 2024. He was scheduled to be arranged Tuesday at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

“Mr. Garcia-Aquino faces at least life without the possibility of parole on the murder charge and six years in prison with respect to the felony count of assault with intent to commit a lewd act,” said Hochman during the press conference. 

On Tuesday, the office of the DA announced an additional charge against García-Aquino to include one felony count each of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offence and lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 years old. Thse alleged sexual assault against the teenager happened on December 10, 2022 at his then-home in Sylmar. 

“Our goal, though, is to bring justice to this family and to hold the person responsible for these brutal, heinous, unspeakable, unthinkable acts, hold them accountable, prosecute and punish them to the full extent of the Law,” said Hochman.  

Asking for more victims to come forward

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Garcia-Aquino was a youth soccer coach in the Sylmar area. In 2024, a Sylmar family filed a criminal report with the LAPD Foothill Division against the coach alleging sexual assault against a teenager on the family. 

After Hernandez was murdered, LAPD and LASD learned Garcia-Aquino was involved in both cases. Because of the nature of the offenses, Luna said the Special Victims Bureau detectives believe there may be additional victims. 

“I know it is not easy, it could be embarrassing, you don't want to tell somebody, but it's very important that we bring justice not only to the family here but any families that may have been victimized by this,” said Luna.

He also said that if any victim or their family is undocumented not to worry because they are not asking about legal status. He encouraged people to contact the LASD, LAPD or DA’s office.

While the parents and sister of Hernandez were present, they did not speak at the press conference. However, after the conference, Hernandez’ mother, Gladys Bautista said she recommends all families to not trust their children to anyone. She also said she hopes Garcia-Aquino receives a maximum penalty including the death penalty. 

“This man already had charges before. Why did they allow him to work, and with children?” said Bautista. 

Authorities are asking anyone with information or any victims to file a report at the Los Angeles Police Department's Juvenile Division, Abused Child Section by calling (818) 374-5415, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273, or anonymously by phone to the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-8477.