New Orleans Mother Charged After Son’s Tragic Death in Alligator Attack

New Orleans Mother Charged After Son’s Tragic Death in Alligator Attack

NEW ORLEANS, La. – A heartbreaking case has taken an even darker turn as the mother of 12-year-old Bryan Vasquez has been charged with negligent homicide following his death in an alligator attack last month.

Bryan was reported missing on August 14, and after nearly two weeks of searching, his body was found in a lagoon near his home on August 26. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office determined he died from blunt trauma consistent with an alligator attack, along with drowning.

On Sunday, police arrested Hilda Vasquez, Bryan’s mother, charging her with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.

A History of Neglect and Abuse

During a press briefing, Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon revealed troubling details about Bryan’s past. Authorities allege a long-standing pattern of neglect and abuse spanning the boy’s life.

When Bryan was just three months old, he suffered a skull fracture, broken legs, and a collapsed lung from abuse. Though he was removed from the home at that time, state child services eventually returned him.

Gernon stated:

“We believe that we can prove that that pattern of negligence and abuse led to … undue pain and suffering on his part.”

Police also noted Bryan was nonverbal and lived with a neurodevelopmental condition, making him especially vulnerable. On the morning of his disappearance, he was last seen wandering the streets wearing an adult diaper.

Community and Investigators Shaken

The New Orleans Police Department described the case as “emotional and traumatic” not only for the family and community but also for responding officers. Assistant Superintendent Hans Ganthier emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing:

“Our detectives will continue to pursue every fact and every aspect … so we can pursue and seek justice for Bryan.”

Looking Ahead

The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office will review the case to determine final charges. Meanwhile, Hilda Vasquez remains in custody at the Orleans Parish Jail.

This tragedy raises tough questions about child protection systems, family history, and how a vulnerable child could fall through the cracks more than once. For many, Bryan’s story is a painful reminder of the urgent need to better safeguard children living in high-risk situations.