Who is Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez? Aaron Hernandez’s ex accused of misappropriating $830,000 trust fund set up in 10yo child’s name

The ex of Aaron Hernandez, Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, said she couldn't pay the $10,697 bill for her 10-year-old daughter Avielle's dance lessons. The late New England Patriots star's former fiance asked a court-appointed trustee to pay the bill from an $830K trust fund created for Avielle. Attorney David Schwartz, the court-appointed trustee, denied the request.

Per Schwartz's estimates, Jenkins-Hernandez was already getting an unrelated source of money beyond the trust fund. She was receiving $150K per year or more from Hernandez's NFL pension and Social Security to pay for Avielle's day-to-day expenses. He couldn't imagine why Jenkins-Hernandez needed more.

Schwartz assessed how Jenkins-Hernandez had been using the money. The spending breaks down as follows:

• $36,858 on clothing, including maternity wear
• $39,347 on home goods
• $25,577 shopping online
• $11,792 in "self-care," including gym fees and visits to hair and nail salons.

Attorney Robert O'Regan represents Schwartz in the legal battle, asserting that these expenses aren't in Avielle's best interest.

O'Regan said:

“There is reason to question whether the expenditures were for Avielle’s benefit. To be fair, this little girl should have a decent life with what her father left for her. No one would complain if there were reasonable expenses. We’re talking about over-the-top or otherwise unrelated expenses to Avielle.”

Jenkins-Hernandez insists she hasn't improperly spent the cash and that money from the trust fund should be available when she needs it. In an email to The Boston Globe, Jenkins-Hernandez wrote that the sole focus is on providing stability for her children:

“Since Aaron’s death, my sole focus has been on raising and providing as stable a life for my children as possible. All monies I have spent have been with this singular focus in mind, and this will continue to be my focus going forward.”

Shayanna and Aaron Hernandez met when they were both in high school in Bristol, Connecticut. They got engaged in October 2012, and she gave birth to Avielle the following month.

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Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez testified at Aaron Hernandez's murder trial

Shayanna testified as a prosecution witness during Aaron Hernandez's murder trial in March 2017 and insisted Aaron was innocent. In her testimony, she couldn't recall important conversations with him and didn't ask him what occurred to a friend of his who was shot in the face.

Jenkins-Hernandez said:

“I learned to keep my mouth shut in certain situations. I played my role. Meaning I cleaned and I did everything else. There was no reason for me to ask any questions.”

Ultimately, the jury found Aaron Hernandez not guilty in the double murder trial. Days after being found innocent, he was found dead in his cell, which was ruled a suicide.

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If you use any of the above quotes, please credit the Boston Globe, CNN, and H/T Sportskeeda.