New reports have revealed that the captain of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a mom and her baby, is an illegal alien. Coast Guard Investigative Service Assistant Director Josh Packer said, “The alleged conduct led to an unthinkable tragedy.” Manuel Hernandez, 46, was in the U.S. illegally when the 21-foot boat overturned close to Liberty Island on August 8, 2026, according to information from the Department of Homeland Security.
Sara Sanchez, 27, along with her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, died in the incident. Hernandez has been charged with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death by federal law enforcement authorities. He was initially released on $50,000 bail. Federal officers investigating the matter said Hernandez entered the U.S. through Texas in 2007.
In order to gain entrance to the country, Hernandez falsely told a border agent that he was a U.S. citizen. The suspect is currently being held by immigration officials while the case moves forward. Prosecutors stated that Hernandez took a total of 14 passengers aboard the boat, which was going on a birthday cruise. The vessel’s capacity is listed at no more than 10 people.
According to a report from Breitbart News, Hernandez did not possess a captain’s license and worked as a limousine driver for the tour company. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Hernandez’s reckless behavior put the passengers aboard the boat in danger. “This criminal illegal alien was illegally and recklessly conducting unlicensed boat tours in New York Harbor when his boat capsized, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old baby,” Mullin said.
“Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of the Coast Guard, ICE, and our federal, state, and local partners, this criminal is off our streets and out of our waterways. Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country,” he said in his statement on the horrific incident.
Investigators also noted that the boat was without life jackets designed for infants and children. Hernandez is alleged to have told passengers they did not need to wear life jackets, a statement that would prove to be fatal for the two victims. Authorities then said that Hernandez turned the boat while accelerating and encountering a swell, which led to the boat capsizing.
“As alleged in the complaint, Manuel Hernandez showed a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers when he piloted an over-capacity boat without a license that capsized in the New York Harbor,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch explained. “This tragedy could have been prevented, and now a family is left to grieve the unimaginable loss of a mother and her 5-month-old daughter because of his negligence.”
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The other passengers who were aboard the boat were pulled from the water by heroes working with the NYPD, FDNY, and Coast Guard. Unfortunately, Sanchez and her precious child were not among those who were rescued. The boating tragedy is another example of illegals without proper certification causing fatal accidents in the U.S.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video