On March 23, 2023, Tucson police responded to a report of a 4-year-old girl found wandering alone near her home on South Monrovia Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Officers discovered that the children's mother, 24-year-old Katie Luna Hernandez, had left her two children — the 4-year-old and a 9-month-old — home alone unsupervised. DCS took custody of the two children. The following day, March 24, detectives learned Hernandez had a third child, 2-year-old Keandre Gant Jr., whose whereabouts were unknown. A search warrant was executed at the home, where the remains of Keandre were found concealed inside, along with suspected fentanyl and narcotics paraphernalia. On February 6, 2024, Hernandez was indicted on charges of first degree murder for Keandre's death. Notably, just eight days before the children were found unsupervised, Hernandez had been stopped by police and found selling methamphetamine and in possession of heroin and a firearm with a defaced serial number.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Multiple news articles describe the surviving siblings being left home alone unsupervised by the mother. The KOLD article states: "officers discovered 24-year-old Katie Luna Hernandez had left her two children, the 4-year-old and a 9-month-old, home alone." The KGUN9 article adds: "A neighbor reported a four-year-old girl wandering alone and called 911." While this inappropriate supervision pertains to the siblings (Keandre was already deceased when discovered), it is explicitly mentioned in the context of this case and led to the discovery of Keandre's remains.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
While no specific mechanism of injury is described, the fatality report states that "the child's mother, Katie Hernandez, was indicted on charges of first degree murder for Keandre's death." A first degree murder charge strongly implies the child's death was caused by intentional, inflicted harm, though the specific nature of the injury is not detailed in any of the documents.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The fatality report states: "the child's mother, Katie Hernandez, was indicted on charges of first degree murder for Keandre's death." Katie Hernandez is explicitly identified as the child's biological mother and was charged with first degree murder for his death.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The fatality report explicitly details prior DCS reports: "On September 25, 2018, a report was received alleging neglect to a child by Katie Hernandez. The family was referred to services available in the community. In-home services were declined by the family. The allegation was unsubstantiated and the case was closed November 26, 2018." Additionally, there was a report from March 23, 2023, received the day before the fatality report: "a report was received alleging neglect to children by their father and mother, Katie Hernandez."
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The fatality report states: "On February 6, 2024, the child's mother, Katie Hernandez, was indicted on charges of first degree murder for Keandre's death." The KOLD article also notes: "The TPD said officers were called to the home... Katie Luna Hernandez... was charged with two counts of child abuse." She was arrested and charged for her role in the child's death.
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The KGUN9 article lists the charges against Hernandez as including "Three counts of child abuse - death or serious physical injury unlikely, domestic violence." The "domestic violence" designation is attached to the child abuse charges, which is a legal classification in Arizona indicating abuse occurring within a domestic relationship. This references domestic violence by name but in the context of a child abuse charge classification rather than partner-on-partner violence.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The KGUN9 article describes a traffic stop on March 15, 2023, predating the discovery of the child's body on March 24, 2023: "On March 15, she was caught selling methamphetamine, in possession of a firearm, heroin, and paraphernalia." She was found with a defaced firearm and admitted to having narcotics. This criminal activity is separate from and predates the fatal incident. Additionally, charges stemming from that stop included "Dangerous Drug Violation - Poss for sale, a class two felony" and multiple weapon and narcotics charges.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Multiple sources reference the mother's drug use and possession. The KOLD article states: "Detectives served a search warrant at the home and found the remains of the missing boy as well as suspected fentanyl and narcotics paraphernalia." The KGUN9 article reports that on March 15, 2023, "she was caught selling methamphetamine, in possession of a firearm, heroin, and paraphernalia" and "Hernandez also admitted she had narcotics. A police NIK Test U Kit found the baggies positive for methamphetamine and heroin. They also found a hollow pen that had a burnt end."
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the source text. First, the child's body was described as "remains" found "concealed inside the home" (KVOA article), suggesting the child had been dead for some time before discovery and the body was deliberately hidden. Second, the discovery of Keandre's death was incidental — it only came to light because his 4-year-old sibling was found wandering outside alone on March 23, leading police to the home, and then detectives subsequently learned of a third child whose whereabouts were unknown. Third, just eight days before the children were found unsupervised, on March 15, 2023, the mother had been stopped by police and found selling methamphetamine and possessing heroin and a defaced firearm (KGUN9 article), yet this did not trigger any welfare check on her children. Fourth, the fatality report notes that multidisciplinary team (MDT) reviews are conducted for fatality and near fatality cases with prior DCS involvement, and findings are compiled into an annual report.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.