NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL — A six-year-old Florida boy has died from his injuries nearly two months after he was hospitalized following an alleged domestic assault. The child, identified as Mason, who had autism, passed away Friday, Feb. 27, after being removed from life support. The death follows the January arrests of his mother’s boyfriend, Daniel Eduardo Romero, and his mother, Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, in connection with the severe physical trauma that left the child in cardiac arrest.
Critical Injuries and Conflicting Accounts
The investigation began on Jan. 9, when Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) officers responded to a 1911 call reporting a child in cardiac arrest. Medical staff at a North Miami Beach hospital discovered a harrowing array of injuries, including internal brain bleeding, a fractured arm, and lacerations to the liver, kidney, and spleen.
According to MDPD arrest records, the explanation for these injuries shifted multiple times. Daniel Eduardo Romero, 34, initially claimed Mason was injured while learning to ride a bicycle. When investigators requested to see the bike, Romero was unable to produce it and subsequently changed his story.
Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, 32, initially corroborated the bicycle story but later admitted to authorities that Romero had instructed her to lie. She eventually detailed a pattern of escalation, stating that Romero frequently became “frustrated” with Mason’s behavior, which she attributed to his autism.
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Legal Charges and Judicial Status
Romero was arrested on Jan. 11 and currently faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Two counts of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm
- Child neglect causing great bodily harm
- Providing false information to law enforcement
Court records show Romero has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond.
Hernandez surrendered to authorities two weeks after Romero’s arrest. She was charged with child abuse, child neglect with great bodily harm, and providing false information. Despite the severity of the allegations, Hernandez was released from custody after posting a $7,500 bond and has also pleaded not guilty.
Defense Claims “Victim” Status for Mother
While the state alleges Hernandez failed to protect her child and assisted in a cover-up, her defense team maintains her innocence. In a statement to local media, Hernandez’s attorney, Hugo Apellaniz, characterized his client as a victim of Romero’s domestic violence.
“We are extremely disappointed that the N.M.B. Police Department has decided to arrest and press charges against a mother who is nothing more than a victim,” Apellaniz stated, arguing that the police made a “dire mistake” in their assessment of the household dynamics.
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Investigation Escalates Following Death
With Mason’s passing on Feb. 27, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office is expected to review the case for upgraded charges. Under Florida law, if a victim dies as a result of child abuse, charges can be elevated to first-degree felony murder or aggravated manslaughter of a child.
MDPD has not yet confirmed the timing of additional filings. The status of a five-month-old infant who also lived in the home has not been publicly disclosed, though the mother’s arrest report noted Romero’s alleged frustration with the infant’s crying.
