Florida Mother Surrenders After Boyfriend Allegedly Nearly Beats 6-Year-Old Autistic Son to Death

A Florida mother has surrendered to police after her boyfriend was arrested in connection with severe injuries to her 6-year-old, nonverbal son who has autism.

Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, 32, turned herself in on Jan. 23, roughly two weeks after her son, identified as Mason, was found in cardiac arrest at a North Miami Beach home on Jan. 9. First responders performed CPR until a pulse returned, and the boy was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Miami Dade CorrectionsCynthia Elaine Hernandez's mugshot

Serious Injuries

Medical records and reporting show Mason suffered extensive trauma, including internal brain bleeding, a fractured arm, swelling of the head, bruising to his face and back, and lacerations to his liver, kidney and spleen. Despite the severity of his injuries, Mason survived and remains the focus of ongoing medical care.

Investigations and Arrests

Authorities arrested Hernandez’s boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero, on Jan. 11 after investigators say he gave conflicting accounts of how the injuries occurred. According to the arrest report, Romero at one point blamed the injuries on the child learning to ride a bicycle but later changed his explanation when he could not produce the bike. Hernandez initially repeated that account and later told investigators Romero had instructed her to say they had been riding bikes.

Miami Dade CorrectionsDaniel Eduardo Romero's mugshot

Hernandez also told police that Romero had previously attributed injuries to a fall involving a television and, on another occasion, to the child running indoors while wearing socks. The day after some of those incidents, Mason’s lips turned blue, prompting Hernandez to ask Romero to call 911.

Allegations, Charges and Custody

Hernandez later told investigators she believes Romero caused the injuries and described him as having a short temper and anger problems. Records cited by NBC Miami note Romero has prior domestic violence convictions. Following Hernandez’s surrender, both adults are being held at the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.

Jail records viewed by PEOPLE say Hernandez is being held on a $10,500 bond and faces charges including child abuse, child neglect with great bodily harm, and providing false information to law enforcement. Romero was initially booked without bond and faces two counts of aggravated child abuse causing great bodily harm, child neglect causing great bodily harm, and providing false information to law enforcement.

Statement from Defense: Hernandez’s attorney Hugo Apellaniz called his client a "victim" and criticized the North Miami Beach Police Department for charging her. Apellaniz said police are aware that both Hernandez and her son were victims of Romero and expressed confidence that Hernandez will be vindicated, while emphasizing the focus on the boy’s recovery.

Authorities and the family have not publicly detailed the child’s current medical prognosis. The North Miami Beach Police Department did not immediately provide comment, and Apellaniz did not respond to further requests for comment.