Mom welcomes twins in 2 different years

Earlimart resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rio is now a mother of five.

ByABC News
January 2, 2018, 5:14 PM

— -- A set of twins in Southern California were born in two different years.

Although they were born just 18 minutes apart, Joaquin Ontiveros was born a year earlier than his sister, Aitana de Jesus, at the Delano Regional Medical Center in California's Kern County, their mother, Earlimart resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rios told ABC News today.

PHOTO: Newborn Joaquin Ontiveros (pictured) was born at 11:58 p.m. on New Years Eve, while his sister, Aitana de Jesus, was born in the next year at 12:16 a.m. New Years Day in Delano, Calif..
Newborn Joaquin Ontiveros (pictured) was born at 11:58 p.m. on New Years Eve, while his sister, Aitana de Jesus, was born in the next year at 12:16 a.m. New Years Day in Delano, Calif..

The baby boy was born at 11:58 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2017, and weighed in at 5 pounds, 9 ounces and was 18 inches long, ABC station KABC reported. His younger sister was born at 12:16 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2018, at 4 pounds, 10 ounces and 16 inches long.

PHOTO: Newborn Joaquin Ontiveros was born at 11:58 p.m. on New Years Eve, while his sister, Aitana de Jesus, (pictured) was born in the next year at 12:16 a.m. New Years Day in Delano, Calif..
Newborn Joaquin Ontiveros was born at 11:58 p.m. on New Years Eve, while his sister, Aitana de Jesus, (pictured) was born in the next year at 12:16 a.m. New Years Day in Delano, Calif..

Rios gave birth to the twins via C-section nearly 4 weeks early, she said. Her original due date was scheduled for Jan. 27.

The hospital wrote on Facebook that it was "honored to play a significant role in this 2018 New Year delivery of baby twins" and thanked the "dedicated" hospital staff.

PHOTO: Southern California resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rio, 39, gave birth to New Year's twins in two different years.
Southern California resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rio, 39, gave birth to New Year's twins in two different years.

Rios' sister, 25-year-old Aurelia Perez Rios, told ABC News that she is happy for her sister and brother-in-law.

"I'm excited and thrilled to be an aunt once again," Aurelia Perez Rios said.

PHOTO: Southern California resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rio, 39, gave birth to New Year's twins in two different years.
Southern California resident Maria Esperanza Flores Rio, 39, gave birth to New Year's twins in two different years.

Rios is now a mother of five.