Mom Charged with Murdering Infant Daughter After Launching GoFundMe for Her Funeral

A Missouri woman and her ex-partner face murder charges one year after the death of an infant.

Springfield residents Jonathan Gaona, 33, and Stephanie Hernandez, 29, have been charged with second-degree murder for the death of Hernandez's daughter, Jaylynn, on 11 February 2025.

Autopsy Reveals How Infant Victim Suffered

The Greene County medical examiner detailed multiple factors contributing to Jaylynn's death, including 'blunt force head injuries, acute pneumonia and methamphetamine toxicity.' A probable cause affidavit also cited complications from thermal burns. The victim was two months old when she died.

In his initial interviews with detectives, Gaona said he physically abused Jaylynn due to the 'stress' of caring for 'his other children' and Hernandez's infant. The affidavit noted that Jaylynn was not Gaona's biological child.

'Jonathan explained how he and Stephanie were divorced but living in the same residence,' according to the affidavit. 'During the investigation, it was determined Stephanie's paramour was actually [Jaylynn's] biological father while Jonathan had taken on the role of raising [Jaylynn].'

Gruesome Details of Abuse and Neglect

Gaona told investigators that he was tasked to watch over the children while Hernandez was at work. Jaylynn was under Gaona's care for two days before she died.

Gaona allegedly recalled putting Jaylynn in the bathtub, "turning on the hot water, getting distracted and overwhelmed by his other children, walking off, and then hearing [Jaylynn] scream.' He said he then put Jaylynn back in her crib, 'not thinking much of it.' He also claimed it was 'an accident because he was distracted.'

According to the affidavit, Gaona later found Jaylynn sitting and soaked in urine, to the point that 'her skin started peeling off.' He admitted to not changing Jaylynn's diaper for 'half a day,' and tried to treat the burns with cream and powder.

Gaona also allegedly grabbed Jaylynn by the ears and shook her head back and forth because he was so 'stressed' out. 'I'm a monster, like really,' he told police in the report.

Hernandez allegedly ignored Jaylynn's injuries, even when a roommate pleaded for treatment. 'Stephanie told detectives how she did not take [Jaylynn] to the hospital because she did not want to lose her children,' per the affidavit.

The roommate rushed Jaylynn to the hospital despite Hernandez's protests. In the aftermath, a responding detective described Jaylynn's desperate state before her death.

'A majority of her front torso was red in colour and appeared to be missing the top layer of skin,' the report noted. "I also observed redness, consistent with a missing layer of skin, covering the front portion of left front thigh and a portion of the left side of her face. When she was rolled over, I observed the same redness, consistent with a missing layer of skin, covering the entire upper portion of her back.'

Damning Revelations in the Aftermath

Shortly after Jaylynn's death, Hernandez launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the funeral. Per CBS affiliate KOLR, the campaign only raised £149 ($202) against a goal of £3,670 ($5,000). The fundraiser description did not indicate Jaylynn's cause of death.

The affidavit also reported Gaona's children tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids. Gaona and Hernandez refused to take drug tests.

In addition to murder, Goana and Hernandez are also charged with child abuse, neglect, and endangerment. Hernandez is currently detained at Greene County Jail, while Goana has been issued a warrant of arrest.