Arizona Dad Accused of Letting 4-Year-Old Drown After McDonald’s Promise Had History of Child Neglect Reports

In March 2024, a 4-year-old girl in Arizona drowned in a bathtub while her father was cleaning the house and grabbing nicotine patches from a car outside. Nathan Peru was arrested on accusations of allowing his daughter, Tammy Hernandez, to drown.

More than two years later, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) has released a statement, revealing that Tucson native Peru had been accused of child neglect several times before. The agency said it received three reports in 2020 of Hernandez’s alleged abuse and neglect at the hands of her biological mother and Peru.

Noting one such incident, the DCS said, “On August 14, 2020, a report was received alleging neglect to Tammy Hernandez and a sibling by their mother, and her sibling’s father. The report also alleged neglect to Tammy by her father, Mr. Peru. The report alleged concerns for substance use and lack of supervision.”

Additionally, Peru was linked to six child neglect incidents involving his other children between 2012 and 2021. As a result, his children, including Hernandez, were placed in foster care. However, Hernandez was returned to Peru's custody in November 2023.

On the morning of March 16, 2024, Peru called 911 after he found Hernandez unresponsive in the bathtub. He told authorities that his daughter was taking a bath before they were supposed to have breakfast at McDonald’s. He used the showerhead to fill the tub as the faucet was broken.

Peru said Hernandez knew how to shut off the showerhead; hence, he went to clean the house and collect nicotine patches from his car. While he acknowledged hearing a loud thumping noise, he thought it was his dog playing in the living room.

After about five minutes, he went back and found Hernandez drowned with her face down in the bathtub.

As authorities investigated the case, they noticed blunt force injuries and evidence of s—-- assault on Hernandez’s body. Peru fled during questioning in a stolen car but was apprehended days later. He was charged with child abuse and s—-- abuse.

The DCS highlighted the cause of Hernandez’s death in its report by writing, “The medical examiner determined the child suffered possible drowning, blunt force injuries, and a severe stomach ulcer as contributing conditions to her death.”

“The Department determined Tammy Hernandez died as a result of physical abuse and neglect while in the care of her father, Mr. Peru. There were no services provided by the Department following the fatality incident,” the DCS added.

While awaiting trial, Peru was admitted to the Banner University Medical Center South for medical treatment. According to standard procedure, two Pima County corrections officers were assigned to guard him. In October 2025, he reached for a correction officer's gun at the hospital. During the struggle, he was shot and killed. Peru was 31.