Florida Boy With Autism Dies — 'Severe Trauma' Detailed by Police

A six-year-old boy with autism has died following a weeks-long hospitalisation stemming from severe injuries allegedly inflicted by his mother's boyfriend, authorities confirmed.​

The boy, identified in court records as Mason, was admitted to a hospital in North Miami Beach in Florida on 9 January in critical condition after what Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) described as a violent assault at his home also in North Miami Beach.

Mason's grandmother, Elizabeth Garcia, told NBC News that he had been taken off a ventilator and succumbed to his injuries last month following weeks in critical care.

Injuries Sustained After 'Falling Off a Bike'​

On 11 January 2026, 34-year-old Daniel Eduardo Romero was arrested on charges that included aggravated child abuse causing bodily harm, child neglect with bodily harm, and providing false information to law enforcement, following an investigation that began on 9 January after authorities responded to a report of a child in cardiac arrest, as shared by NBC6.​

The child, Mason, was found by authorities with no pulse and was given CPR until Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews arrived and were able to regain a pulse, after which he was rushed to Jackson North Hospital with his mother.

Public arrest records state that, according to doctors, Mason had sustained internal brain bleeding, bruising on his body, a fractured arm, liver, kidney, and spleen lacerations, swelling on his head, and several other injuries.

The report said that in Romero's defence, he told authorities that on 8 January, he was teaching Mason to ride a bicycle when the child allegedly fell, resulting in a bruise to his forehead and scratches on his face. Romero was unable to provide the said bicycle when asked about it.

This statement was later redacted by Romero, saying they were using a small wagon that authorities said seemed to have been unused for a long period of time. The suspect also said Mason woke up lethargic and grew increasingly frail over the course of the day on 9 January, but didn't seem to require medical care. They reportedly called 911 when he was already unresponsive.

Victim's Mother Also Gave Inconsistent Statements

Records also showed that the victim's mother, 32-year-old Cynthia Elaine Hernandez, allegedly gave inconsistent accounts of the incident, as did Romero. Hernandez said she has had an intermittent relationship with Romero that began in 2023. They have two children, but Mason is not Romero's biological son.

According to the report, Hernandez's first statement was that Romero had been teaching Mason to ride a bike, and that Mason had already been injured before she came out of the house. She then allegedly treated his injuries with ice over OTC medication, after which her son acted 'normally,' making her decide he did not need medical attention.

This was later redacted, and Hernandez said Romero told her to claim Mason fell off a bicycle. According to Hernandez, on 8 January, she awoke and discovered Romero was next to the boy. Romero allegedly told her that Mason had injured his head on a food stand, which resulted in swelling, a small incision, and bleeding. After finding several other injuries on the victim, she allegedly confronted Romero.

Hernandez told investigators later that she believed Romero was responsible for Mason's injuries. Public records show that Romero pleaded not guilty to his charges and is in custody without bond, according to a People report.

Hernandez turned herself in two weeks later and pleaded not guilty to the charges of child abuse, as well as child neglect with great bodily harm and providing false information to law enforcement. She had a bond set at $7,500 (£5,600) and is not in police custody.