Their abuse led to his death in May 2013. I remember his throat just looked like somebody had burned him, bruising and cuts all over his face, black eyes He had like a weird cut above his penis, he had abrasions on the top of his foot like hed been dragged. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered. All rights reserved. Fernandez was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Aguirro to death, although due to Governor Gavin Newsom suspending all executions while he's in office, he will remain in prison. I confront him, and say 'why did you say that, you didn't want him to be born, you didn't want him when he was born, nobody in the family wanted him.'". The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez: The Tragic Story of Gabriel's Uncle Michael, objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Just three days after he was born, Gabriel Fernandez was . Instead, the little boy was left to suffer and die at the hands of his own caregivers, as the city of Los Angeles turned a blind eye. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. The. He was declared brain dead and taken off life support two days later. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez details the horrendous abuse Gabriel endured, which also included forcing him to eat cat faeces, burning him with cigarettes and locking him in a cabinet. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. In the documentary, Gabriels move at the age of four was because his grandfather Robert Fernandez did not agree with a same-sex couple raising a child. She steered the conversation back to Gabriel's academics. They claimed that Gabriel Fernandez was tortured, forced to eat cat Litter and his own vomit. "I can't tell you how many people I've spoken to that have chosen a career path in social services because they say they want to make a difference," Contreras said. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. Prosecutor Hatami firstly thought it was suspicious that she showed the note to his in-home counsellor, Carmen Le Norgant, just as she was leaving a visit less than three months before his death. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. I feel like they are here with me too.". Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? After Gabriel's death, Robert and Sandra Fernandez filed a claim against Los Angeles Country, the LA DCFS, Gabriel's school district, the sheriff's office and many more organizations involved. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. According to Jennifer Garcia, Gabriel showed up to class with signs that something terrible had happened at home, and it didn't take long for him to explain. Sadly Michael died in 2014, just 16 months after Gabriel. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Pearl pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole. Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. Send it to us! On May 24, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old boy from Palmdale, California, who had been abused and tortured over a period of months, was murdered by his mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, from whom he had received a beating two days earlier. Eventually, Pearl took Gabriel from his grandparents eight months before his death on May 24, 2013. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Unfortunately, they were his last eight months. Have a tip? You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. "When her and Tony would fight, she was the abusive one to him.". In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing, Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies, Slain SoCal boy had BB lodged in his groin area, nurse testifies, Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty. "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. "I love you so much that I will kill myself", it read. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. A position rejected by Hatami. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. "We have added thousands of case workers, which have increased the capability of us to be able to work very closely with families," said Bobby Cagle, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Something went wrong, please try again later. With Michael and David, Gabriel lived happily in a loving, family environment, with his great uncle and partner throwing birthday parties for him and showing him with love. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. Four Los Angeles County social workers - Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement along with two supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt were charged in connection with the boy's death. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasnt the right person to raise him. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them. Though the uncles confronted Fernandezs grandfather, Martinez says Robert believed that being raised by two gay men was making the little boy gay, so the grandparents decided to raise him themselves. They closed their eyes and didnt see nothing?," he said. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Living in a household gripped by fear. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Yet the charges against the group never made it to trial after the 2nd District Court of Appeal advised the lower court dismiss the charges. Gabriel was repeatedly beaten and tortured by his evil mother and her partner before he died in 2013 - all because they thought he was gay. I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez details the horrendous abuse Gabriel endured, which also included forcing him to eat cat faeces, burning him with cigarettes and locking him in a cabinet. Social worker Stefanie Rodriguez and other representatives of child protection agencies also visited Gabriel's home on a number of occasions. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. "As far as Canada, they come. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. Pearl Fernandez gave birth to Gabriel on February 21 2005, but within days had given him up to her uncle, Michael Lemos Carranza, and his partner, David Martinez. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when their brother died, and are still haunted by the abuse they were forced to witness in the Palmdale, California residence. Gavin Newsom, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. Car loads.". Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. He is now and will forever be with his Gabriel.. May you both be hugging and laughing. And what did they do? But they didn't," said Carranza. David also revealed Pearl apparently told Michael to come and get his kid because he was getting on her nerves, at just three-days-old. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. DON'T MISSGabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. In Pearl's custody, someone called to report that they thought Gabriel was molested by his uncle, but no one has confirmed this allegation. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. All Rights Reserved. Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. But Prosecutor Jon Hatami believed Pearl took Gabriel into her custody so she could claim more welfare benefits. You need to care.". Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. RELATED: Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky. There was no question that eight-year-old Gabriel had suffered tremendously, but there are many unanswered questions as to how his evil parents were able to get away with torturing him for so long. Ms Estes also describes how they found a BB gun pellet in Gabriel's lung, and even one in his groin, signalling he'd been shot in both places. But Contreras said a door opened recently. Gabriel Fernandez, eight, died in Los Angeles at the hand of his mother and stepdad after social workers allegedly failed to act Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. In a suit Robert Fernandez brought against the county of Los Angeles with his wife Sandra after the death of Gabriel, the couple allege that they always had custody of the child. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. Gabriel Fernandez was only 8 years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre.And as detailed in Netflix's documentary "The Trials of Gabriel . A position rejected by Hatami. It's all those emotions are there. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. The logic was that if Isauro was trying to save the boy's life, he couldn't have intended to kill him, so he wasn't guilty of murder. I will love him until I die.". But they didn't," said Carranza. Children are still getting murdered. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. When we got to the hospital the day before, he was still alive, and he was going to talk to me. Instead, they never got the chance. After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Contreras received support he never imagined. Mourners have had questions. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. The year after the death of Gabriel, Michael Lemos Carranza also died, though his cause of death at the age of 58 has not been publicly revealed. More info. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. By the grace of a higher power, he convinced Pearl to . And having never tried to care for him before, why was she showing concern about his mental welfare now? But she claims that not only did the LAPD not believe the horrific things Gabriel said were happening to him, they told him to stop lying. In fact, the first thing he told law enforcement when they responded to the 911 call was that Gabriel Fernandez was gay, which confused officers. He actually spent the first four years of his life living with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner, David Martinez. For him, it's personal. "I think you not only have a moral and ethical obligation to save that child, I think you have a legal obligation to save that child. And in January this year, a motion to rehear the appeals court decision was denied and the criminal case against these four is not progressing further. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. According to a cousin who runs a Facebook page in the little boys honor, Carranza passed away in September 2014, a year and a half after Fernandezs death in May 2013. "A lot of the family wants to blame just Tony," says Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's great-aunt. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. My Research and Language Selection Sign into My Research Create My Research Account English; Help and support. All Rights Reserved. Because no matter how many times I saw Gabriel smile, when I think of Gabriel now, I picture him in that hospital bed, not waking up.". Mourners have had questions. The charges, filed in 2016, marked the first time Los Angeles caseworkers . During the last eight months of . Before his death, Gabriel Fernandez didnt always live with his mother his uncles Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez were also a big part of his life. "It's all those emotions are there. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. [INSIGHT]. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. One way or another," Contreras said. Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. ; Contact Us Have a question, idea, or some feedback? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. He lived with them for about four years, until his grandparents objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Pearl Fernandez gave . They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. She contemplated abortion on several occasions and would have gone through with it had her uncle had not convinced her to have the baby. [FACT CHECK]Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Notably, it was fears of Gabriel's potential homosexuality that were revealed as a direct cause of the abuse Gabriel faced, as revealed at the trial of one of his killers, Isauro Aguirre.. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Gabriel Fernandez was born to a mother, Pearl Fernandez, that didn't know how to love him. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). Car loads.". The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. The recent Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez". RELATED: Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural. Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing, Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural, Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death, Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it.. Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. If you knew Pearl, Pearl was never the victim. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". RELATED: Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing. He said: She [Pearl] didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandez's great-uncle) and his partner, David. David Martinez now lives in San Salvador - capital of El Salvador - after being deported from the US by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). RELATED: Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death. Sadly, just 16 months after Gabriels death, 46-year-old Michael Lemos Carranza died on September 17, 2014. The power for change, Hatami said, is reflected in a growing memorial. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, David Martinez in "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Gabriel died in intensive care after being savagely beaten and tortured at his home in Palmdale, Los Angeles County, by Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirro. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. One of the most heartbreaking facts of his case is that he was then raised in two different loving homes before he was turned back to his sadistic mother. Unfortunately, I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this day, Contreras finally broke silence... Back to Gabriel & # x27 ; s great-uncle ) and his wife adopted 's... After Gabriel, and he says evidence backs him up ( Photo Irfan... Fernandez, that didn & # x27 ; s great-uncle ) and his wife adopted Gabriel siblings... Both men loved Gabriel very much alive, and he was going to talk to me after.. 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