Overview

• Hilda Vasquez, 34, was arrested and booked on negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles; she appeared in Magistrate Court and was ordered to have no contact with her other children under protective orders.
• A magistrate scheduled a Gwen’s Law dangerousness hearing for Sept. 15 and imposed 600‑foot stay‑away conditions, with additional requirements if she is released on bail.
• Bryan Vasquez, 12, who was nonverbal and had a neurodevelopmental condition, was reported missing on Aug. 14 and was found on Aug. 26 in a lagoon near his New Orleans East home.
• The coroner determined the boy died from blunt force trauma consistent with an alligator attack and drowning; volunteers with the United Cajun Navy located his remains using a thermal drone.
• Police say the case reflects years of neglect and earlier abuse including severe injuries in infancy; DCFS and NOPD internal reviews continue, including scrutiny of an approximately five‑hour delay in the initial police response.