After six days in jail, criminal charges against family members and friends of Sierra Hernandez, the slain Winter Haven woman , have been dropped, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Family and friends had rallied on social media encouraging people to call the State Attorney’s Office to push for the release Hernandez’s father, Christopher Shawn Hernandez; his fiancee Amber Merzacco; Hernadez’s brother Christopher Preston Hernandez; and two others: April Merrill and Kalob Ashley. All five are expected to be released from custody Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m so relieved,” said Alicia Ashley, mother of Kalob Ashley. “I thought this was going to drag on and on and on.”
The five had been arrested about 10 p.m. Jan. 18 by Polk County deputies after going to the Winter Haven address of Daphne Fernandez, who had been previously arrested while driving Hernandez’s car. It is also listed in court records as the home address of Blake Sterling, who was the last person family reported Sierra Hernandez was seen with.