Sierra Hernandez murder: Polk County woman accused in missing woman’s death will remain behind bars

Charges upgraded against Daphne Fernandez

Daphne Fernandez, 44, was arrested after a Polk County deputy pulled her over on Jan. 15 for knowingly driving with a suspended license. At that time, deputies say she was driving a gray 1999 Ford Crown Victoria that belonged to missing woman, Sierra Hernandez.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A Polk County woman charged in connection with the death of Sierra Hernandez will remain behind bars until her trial. 

Daphne Fernandez, 44, was back in court for a pre-trial hearing at the Polk County Courthouse where two witnesses, including her son, testified. 

She's accused of helping conceal Hernandez's murder and helping her boyfriend, Enrique Martinez, who was already wanted for first-degree murder in a November 2023 homicide at a homeless camp, evade police. 

Blake Sterling, who is on felony probation for an unrelated case, testified during the court appearance that he met Sierra Hernandez on Facebook. He brought her over to his friend's house on Jan. 9 on T Avenue Northwest in Winter Haven, which was owned by Fernandez.

Sierra Hernandez's loved ones put up fliers hoping to find her. 

He and Hernandez stayed the night, but the next day, Sterling had to leave to see his family. Meanwhile, Sierra stayed behind, because she was sick. 

"While I was gone, I didn't text her, but she texted me flipping out about her car," Sterling said during the hearing. "By the time I had seen her message, I ended up coming back."

Once Sterling returned to the home, he saw Hernandez tied up in a room and Enrique Martinez, who was going by the name "Jesse."

Court documents shed light on Sierra Hernandez case

Whatever happened to Sierra Hernandez has yet to be revealed, but court documents, a redacted police affidavit and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd paint a horrific and terrifying picture.

Sterling testified that Martinez chased him out the door, and said he was afraid of him. He said he didn't call law enforcement, because his phone was broken, and he was scared.

Fernandez's son, Tremont Haslem, also testified in court Wednesday that Martinez was his mother's boyfriend who had been hanging around since December 2023. He, too, said he saw Hernandez tied up in a room, asking repeatedly where her car was. 

"She [Fernandez] walked in the room and beat the girl up. I heard screaming, and then I left," Haslem said. "He was talking about selling the girl and pimping her out, and my mom said no."

Enrique Martinez mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

He said his mother never gave a reason for beating Hernandez up, and he didn't see the victim again. 

Fernandez was arrested after a Polk County deputy pulled her over on Jan. 15 for knowingly driving with a suspended license. At that time, deputies say she was driving a gray 1999 Ford Crown Victoria that belonged to Hernandez. 

Fernandez originally said she had permission to use the vehicle. However, since the search for Sierra Hernandez was active and on going, Fernandez was a suspect in the case. 

Pictured: Sierra Hernandez

Four days after her arrest, investigators say they found Hernandez’s medical paperwork from Jan. 8 at the Winter Haven home while executing a search warrant. Investigators say they also found a large pile of burned items in the backyard that included human remains. 

READ: Sierra Hernandez murder: Polk County father grieving daughter as detectives continue investigation

Hernandez was reported missing on Jan. 14, but detectives believe she was killed days earlier. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies recovered her body. 

According to court documents, Fernandez lied to detectives when asked about having Hernandez’s vehicle, assisted in concealing her murder and helped Martinez avoid arrest. 

Sierra Hernandez's father speaks on daughter's murder

A family is left with unanswered questions about what happened between the time they last saw 20-year-old Sierra Hernandez and when she was found dead. She was reported missing earlier this month, and Polk County deputies are now investigating her murder.

RELATED: Suspect in missing woman’s death, homeless camp murder captured: Grady Judd

Martinez was taken into custody on Jan. 23 after spending two months on the run.  

Initially, Fernandez was charged with attempted felony murder, abuse of a body, kidnapping and accessory after the fact. 

Daphne Fernandez mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

She is now charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the Sierra Hernandez case instead of attempted felony murder. The new charges stem from the state attorney's investigation into the case and the collection of the interviews with the witnesses following the arrest of the suspected killer, Enrique Martinez.

Fernandez is being held on a $1 million bond.