Suspect named in death of teenage girl

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Homicide detectives said Friday they’ve put a rush on the toxicology report in the death of 13-year-old Sophia Martinez.

They hope to have the results back within ten days to see exactly how the teen died on New Year’s Day. At the same time, funeral arrangements are underway for the teenager. 

January first, Martinez was left unconscious in the driveway of a friend’s home after a night that a police affidavit says involved alcohol.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit released Friday, 23-year-old Mario Hernandez and another man supplied Sophia Martinez and her 15-year-old friend with several shots of vodka and whiskey New Year’s Eve.

Sophia was pronounced dead the next morning at a hospital. Hernandez, 23 is wanted on a felony charge of child endangerment. Police indicated further charges are possible.

 At a news conference Friday afternoon, homicide detectives admitted this is a difficult crime to absorb.    

“It’s very tough to work as homicide investigators for the most part. It took a toll on pretty much everybody. These guys handle a lot of death scenes but this one was particularly tough,” Det. Sgt. Brian Miller said, referring to the way the girl was simply left in a friend’s driveway the next day.

Based on interviews with the 15-year-old, police determined Sophia was given at least five servings of vodka and four servings of whiskey. The other girl said that she also drank alcohol -- enough to blur her vision. When the 15-year-old awoke the next morning, Sophia was unresponsive and not breathing.

 Sophia’s cousin told KXAN this week, the girls slipped out of her North Austin house where they were to spend the night Monday. Later that evening, they ended up a friend’s house in southeast Austin before catching a ride to Hernandez’ house nearby, according to the affidavit.

“She was a good little girl, helped with all the other kids. She was not a wild child,” said Sylvia Vasquez.