The federal government intends to deport Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, who is accused of illegally operating a boat that capsized in New York Harbor, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her infant daughter. Hernandez-Umana, originally from El Salvador, entered the U.S. unlawfully through Texas in 2007 by falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Hernandez, aged 46 and residing in Manville, New Jersey, faces charges of misconduct and neglect as a ship officer resulting in death after the incident near Liberty Island on August 8. The victims were identified as 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that Hernandez would be removed from the U.S. following legal proceedings.
Hernandez’s legal representative did not respond to inquiries for comments. Following a hearing on August 10, he was released on a $50,000 bail without having to enter a plea, as reported by NBC New York.
“Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York filed a criminal complaint indicating Hernandez operated the unregistered boat unlawfully, lacking a license and infant flotation devices. The complaint details that Hernandez was using a friend’s boat for a tour near the Statue of Liberty, as his required repairs. The boat exceeded its maximum capacity of 10 people by carrying 14, including Hernandez. Additionally, he was unaware of the vessel’s capacity limits.
Before the tour, Antonella’s parents informed Hernandez of their lack of an infant flotation device. Hernandez admitted the boat lacked the device and suggested one parent should wear a flotation device and hold the baby, a method Sanchez followed. About 20 minutes into the tour, a U-turn maneuver led the boat into a swell, overturning it and ejecting everyone onboard.
While Hernandez and 11 others were rescued, Sanchez and Antonella were unresponsive and declared dead at a Brooklyn hospital. The complaint asserts Hernandez’s complete disregard for passenger safety by piloting the over-capacity, unlicensed boat, as highlighted by New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
Co-workers of Andres Garcia, Antonella’s father and Sanchez’s partner, described his enthusiasm for the tour with his family. They acknowledged his hard work to support his family in the U.S. and in Colombia, which includes a 6-year-old child.
“This tragedy could have been prevented… a family is left to grieve the unimaginable loss of a mother and her 5-month-old daughter because of [Hernandez’s] negligence,” Tisch commented.