• A Colorado woman was sentenced to 18 years for causing life-altering injuries to a 2-year-old boy in her unlicensed daycare.
• Surveillance footage revealed abuse, including delayed medical attention and injuries not solely from a fall.
• The child, Giovanni, is recovering after multiple surgeries, with his mother documenting progress on GoFundMe.

A Colorado woman was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted of causing life-altering injuries to a 2-year-old boy in her care. Mckinley Slone Hernandez, 26, was found guilty of child abuse following an investigation into the events that left the boy, Giovanni, requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Unlicensed Daycare Incident Leads to Tragic Injury

Hernandez, who was operating an unlicensed daycare from her home, brought Giovanni to a hospital on Sept. 1, 2023, after the boy became unconscious. He was later airlifted to a children’s hospital for emergency surgery. According to prosecutors, Giovanni sustained a traumatic brain injury, reduced oxygen and blood flow to his brain, and retinal hemorrhaging. Bruises covered his body, and he required a feeding tube and ventilator while hospitalized.

During her sentencing, the boy’s mother, Stefanie Reichert, described the devastating impact of the abuse. “He had to relearn how to breathe, eat, and walk. The possibility of playing sports or following his father into the military—these dreams were taken from him,” Reichert said in court.

Investigation and Key Evidence

Lakewood police began their investigation on the same day Hernandez brought Giovanni to the hospital. Surveillance video played a key role in the case, showing Giovanni falling—or being pushed—from a camper trailer at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2023. The footage revealed Hernandez picking up the injured boy, biting his arm, and carrying him inside. Within 15 minutes, Giovanni was unconscious, but Hernandez delayed seeking medical attention until nearly 8 p.m.

Prosecutors emphasized that Hernandez’s failure to prioritize Giovanni’s care aggravated the case. “The fact that Ms. Hernandez hesitated to seek medical attention for the victim is incredibly aggravated,” said Special Victims Chief Prosecutor Tyra Forbes. They also noted that Hernandez’s boyfriend performed CPR, likely saving the child’s life.

Evidence Suggests Prolonged Abuse

Evidence presented in court suggested that Giovanni’s injuries were not solely from the fall and that the abuse spanned two days. “As a caregiver, your job, first and foremost, is to get that little boy help,” District Court Judge Chantel Contiguglia stated during the sentencing.

A jury convicted Hernandez of child abuse in April 2024. Her 18-year sentence reflects the severity of the crime and its lasting consequences for Giovanni, who has since undergone multiple surgeries.

Reichert has documented her son’s ongoing recovery on a GoFundMe page, where she expressed gratitude for his progress and the medical professionals who have supported him. “Giovanni is doing very well and continues to improve every day,” she wrote.

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A Call for Safer Childcare Options

This case raises important questions about child safety, the responsibilities of caregivers, and the risks of unlicensed childcare settings. Authorities encourage parents to thoroughly vet caregivers and consider licensed childcare options whenever possible.

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