Thread: Family of boy allegedly killed by illegal in CA | Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz

Family of boy, 11, allegedly killed by illegal immigrant in California hit and run post heartbreaking tributes: ‘Fly high, my warrior child’

https://nypost.com/2025/12/03/us-new...post-tributes/

By Jared Downing and
Alex Oliveira

Published Dec. 3, 2025, 9:17 p.m. ET

The family of an 11-year-old murdered in a horrific hit and run shared heartbreaking tributes and demanded justice for the boy — as they stared down the homeless illegal immigrant accused of killing him in a California courtroom Wednesday.

“Fly high, my warrior child,” the boy’s heartbroken relative posted in Spanish, with a black and white photo of Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz smiling in front of a cake for his 11th birthday — the last he’d ever celebrate.

In another post, the relative is seen walking side-by-side with Aiden.

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Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz at his 11th birthday in a photo posted to Facebook by his heartbroken family. Facebook/Salvador De Paz

“My angel,” he captioned the snap.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe launched for the boy’s family noted that “Aiden deserves justice.”

Little Aiden was mowed down and abandoned after allegedly being hit by Hector Balderas-Aheelor just days before Thanksgiving.

Aiden was chasing a soccer ball into the street outside his Escondido home on Nov. 26, when the car ran him over and fled the scene.

He was found unconscious as his family ran out to help him, and later died at the hospital on Thanksgiving morning.

Balderas-Aheelor was arrested days after the hit and run — with the Department of Homeland Security quickly revealing the illegal Mexican immigrant had been deported four times before the deadly incident, with removals dating back to 2004. He otherwise had no criminal history.

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Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz loved the San Diego Padres, photos show. Facebook/Vanesa De Paz
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Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz at his 5th birthday in a photo posted to Facebook. Facebook/Maria De Paz

It remains unclear how fast he was allegedly driving. The road where Aiden was hit has a 35 mph speed limit.

Balderas-Aheelor appeared in court Wednesday to enter a not-guilty plea on felony hit and run causing death or injury charges — and Aiden’s family turned out wearing matching shirts with photos of the beloved boy while staring daggers at his alleged killer from the gallery.

He was locked up on $300,000 bail and remains behind bars, while the judge barred reporters from taking photos of his face. A prosecutor described him as a flight risk and said he was a “transient.”

Aiden’s family was too despondent to talk to reporters after the hearing.

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Mexican national Hector Balderas-Aheelor pleaded not guilty during a hearing in California court Wednesday. London Entertainment
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Mexican national Hector Balderas-Aheelor was deported from the US four times dating back to 2004. DHS“We’re doing the best that we can under the circumstances,” aunt Irene Gonzales told The Post, declining to comment further.

Instead, they let the photos of Aiden do the talking on social media.

Another family member posted shots of Aiden smiling and pulling faces with family, and wearing a jersey from his beloved San Diego Padres.

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Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz’s family held an emotional memorial service for him at their home on Wednesday. London Entertainment
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A memorial set up for Aiden Antonio Torres De Paz filled with his favorite toys and snacks outside his home. Facebook/Vanesa De Paz

One video panned over a makeshift memorial to the boy, which included samples of his favorite snacks — Takis, Nerds, Sprite, and ramen — his favorite toys and games and photos and candles lit in his honor.

Aiden’s tearful family also held a service outside the home following the court hearing, with the boy’s tiny casket nearby.

Prosecutors vowed to bring Aiden’s alleged killer to justice.

“This case is a tragedy and every parents’ worst nightmare. We are doing everything in our power to get justice for Aiden’s family,” Deputy District Attorney Nicole Gerard said after the hearing.

FILED UNDER

• CALIFORNIA
• CHILDREN
• HIT AND RUN
• ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
• SAN DIEGO
• 12/3/25