Family of slain Polk County woman Sierra Hernandez released from jail, charges dropped

In a recent development in Polk County, charges against the family of Sierra Hernandez, who was reported missing and later found murdered, have been dropped. The victim’s father, brother, and three others were initially arrested for tampering with evidence during their search for the 20-year-old.

Charges Dropped Against Family

Reporting from the Central County Jail in Bartow, officials confirmed that the State Attorney’s Office announced the dismissal of all charges against the five individuals. This decision has brought a sense of relief to the Hernandez family, who are now able to mourn Sierra’s loss outside the confines of a jail cell.

Linda Hernandez, Sierra’s aunt, expressed her relief and emphasized the need for her brother to be with his loved ones during this difficult time. The family had conducted their own search for Sierra at a Winter Haven home, which unexpectedly led to their arrest. Despite their good intentions to find Sierra, they faced legal consequences for their actions.

The situation turned even more tragic when Sean Hernandez, Sierra’s father, learned about his daughter’s murder while in jail. The pain of receiving such devastating news in jail, away from family support, was described as gut-wrenching.

Now released from jail, the Hernandez family can focus on planning Sierra’s funeral and seeking justice for her untimely death. The circumstances leading to the dropping of the charges remain unclear, as the State Attorney’s Office did not provide a specific comment on the matter.

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This case highlights the complexities involved in missing person investigations and the emotional toll they take on families. For the Hernandez family, the dropped charges provide an opportunity to come together in their grief and commemorate Sierra’s life, which was tragically cut short.