Tragic Loss: A Father's Plea for Mental Health Awareness After Daughter's Heatstroke Death

The heartbreaking story of a 3-year-old girl who tragically lost her life after being locked in a hot car has shaken the community. The grieving father, Juan Marcos Ruiz, has come forward to share his family's struggles and a desperate plea for greater mental health support.

A Devastating Tragedy Sparks a Call for Change

A Vibrant Life Cut Short

Ily Elizabeth Ruiz, a 3-year-old girl, was described by her father as a vibrant and loving child who enjoyed singing, coloring, and helping him cook. "She was my princess," Ruiz said, recalling her love for all things princess-related. Tragically, Ily's life was cut short on a sweltering day in Anaheim, California, when she was locked in a hot car with her mother.

The Unimaginable Loss

On the day of the incident, temperatures outside the Ford Expedition reached a scorching 104 degrees. When family members discovered the mother and daughter in the vehicle and called for help, it was too late. Ily died of complications due to heat stroke, while her mother, Sandra Hernandez, was found disoriented but survived.

A Grieving Father's Anguish

Juan Marcos Ruiz, the devastated father, expressed the depth of his pain and anger. "I'm hurt, I'm broken, I'm devastated," he said through tears. "I'm angry, I'm very angry. That's what I feel right now." Ruiz's heartbreak was compounded by the fact that this was his third child to be lost, as he had previously lost two sons in a tragic accident involving a drunk driver.

A History of Mental Health Struggles

Ruiz revealed that his partner, Sandra Hernandez, had been battling alcoholism and mental health issues since the loss of their two sons more than a decade ago. "Obviously, she suffered through depression because of the death of our first two boys," Ruiz said. "Quite sure that after the birth of my little girl, she started post-partum depression. She was never diagnosed, but the symptoms were all there."

Unheeded Warnings and Pleas for Help

Ruiz expressed that he had repeatedly voiced his concerns about Hernandez's mental well-being to her family, but his warnings were often dismissed. "I desperately tried to tell everybody that she needed help, but nobody listened to me. Nobody took it seriously," he lamented.

A Mother's Struggle and a Daughter's Tragic Fate

Despite Hernandez's struggles, Ruiz acknowledged that she was a good mother, but her untreated mental health issues ultimately led to the devastating loss of Ily. "She'd never do this on purpose," Ruiz said. "It doesn't change the fact she did it. It doesn't change the fact that because of her negligence … it happened, and now my daughter is dead due to the actions of her mother."

Seeking Justice and Promoting Mental Health Awareness

Hernandez has since been arrested and faces charges, including involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. Amid his grief, Ruiz is determined to use this tragedy to raise awareness about the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health concerns. "If you guys have loved ones or know someone that's suffering, get them the help they need because tragedy happens," he urged. "There's so many consequences and repercussions that could happen due to somebody's actions or no actions."