"Unfortunately, I think this is something that's going to affect them the rest of their lives. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. It's all those emotions are there. He told the 911 operator he was following her instructions and performing the chest compressions but witnesses in the case threw doubt that he'd actually given the life-saving treatment. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. You can unsubscribe at any time. He said: She [Pearl] didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. But what happened that led to the 8-year-old boy leaving their custody and dying at the hands of mom Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre? Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. But why would he deny the crime knowing it could lead to him being given a lethal injection? 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. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In the documentary, Martinez explains that he currently lives in El Salvador after being deported by ICE. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. David currently resides in San Salvador, where he was interviewed for the docuseries. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. SoCal parental abuse case: Uncle breaks silence nearly 7 years after 8-year-old boy's death. 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. Living in a household gripped by fear. "All those workers that came in, and therapists, why did they all believe her over the kid with the marks?". But Gov. Isauro, however, denied the charge, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he's now on death row. She contemplated abortion on several occasions and would have gone through with it had her uncle had not convinced her to have the baby. Here are some of the mysteries about Gabriel's tragic story which still haven't been resolved. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. Paramedics had been called out to his house in Los Angeles by his mother Pearl, who claimed over the phone that he had slipped in the bathroom and hit his head. In the docuseries, David said that Pearl told Michael to "come and get his kid" because he was crying and getting on her nerves. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Gabriel lived with Michael and David for the first few years of his life. Her theory was that Pearl told authorities that it was bigger boys that were harming her son, not her and her partner. 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. You need to care.". The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. A post on the Gabriels Justice Facebook page from September 2014 reads: It is with a heavy heart and tears, that I inform you.. Today my beloved cousin Michael has passed away today. He is now and will forever be with his Gabriel.. May you both be hugging and laughing. 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.". They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The horrifying murder was detailed in Netflix documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. "Something brings it back in. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Gabriel Fernandez was just eight years old when he was tortured to death by his mum and her boyfriend, Pearl Fernandez was given life without parole for her part in the crimes - Isauro Aguirro was sentenced to death, Christene Estes wept as she remembered cataloguing little Gabriel's endless list of injuries, When paramedics found Gabriel they thought he had a severe skin disease because there were so many injuries all over his body, Family members think Pearl may have masterminded the more sadistic torture of her son, Gabriel with his grandparents, Sandra and Robert Fernandez, before he was made to live with his murderous mum, Isauro Aguirre was sentenced to death after he pleaded not guilty to murdering Gabriel, Prosecutors at the trial wondered why there was no blood on Isauro when paramedics arrived given the extent of Gabriel's injuries, Social workers Patricia Clement, Stefanie Rodriguez, Gregory Merritt and Kevin Bom were charged with child endangerment resulting in death, One of the suspicious notes Pearl showed counsellor Carmen Le Norgant, Gabriel Fernandez gave Mothers Day card to Pearl days before she and partner tortured him to death, eight-year-old Gabriel had suffered tremendously, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". 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. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. The series takes a trip to El Salvador in Episode 3 to speak to David Martinez, known to Gabriel as "Uncle David," whose story and relationship to Gabriel highlights the homophobia that was a major factor in the death of the child. After Pearl Fernandez called 911 on May 22, 2013 to report that Gabriel was not breathing, the paramedics who responded found him with broken ribs, a cracked skull and BB pellets stuck in his body . But California's governor, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. In the early years of his life he lived with his Great Uncle but why did this change? Here's all that we know about Michael and his partner, who too had tragic fates. 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. Gabri The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. The power for change, Hatami said, is reflected in a growing memorial. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. 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. Support Center Find answers to questions about products, access, use, setup, and administration. "Children are still getting killed. Gabriel's uncle, Chris Contreras, is breaking his silence. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? 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. Michael was 46 years old at the time and his funeral arrangements were made in San . They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. "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. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. All Rights Reserved. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. When Gabriel was born, drug addict Pearl gave him away to be raised by others saying she didn't love him. There was not a single misstep from the German - and that, at least partly, is why he remains beloved by supporters despite leaving the club in September. Mourners have had questions. RELATED: Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing. 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. Contreras received support he never imagined. [INSIGHT]. I don't know what the country's about at all. "I love you so much that I will kill myself", it read. Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. Before Gabriel Fernandez returned to his mother Pearl Fernandez, he was brought up by his Great uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his grandparents. 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. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. And having never tried to care for him before, why was she showing concern about his mental welfare now? Unfortunately, they were his last eight months. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a full brown reveal of the life and death of an eight. They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. "They put him in the back of the car and told him that if he kept lying about things, that he would be the one to go to jail," Elizabeth said. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Speaking in the documentary, David Martinez explained how they came to raise Gabriel in the first place. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. Why are you guys saying that?' ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. Aguirre was sentenced to death. Cagle was not available to answer follow up questions about two more recent DCFS death cases, also in Antelope Valley: Anthony Avalos and Noah Cuatro. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. During the trial of Isauro Aguirre, Robert testified that that one day his daughter took Gabriel and refused to bring him back. Why would he deny the crime knowing it could lead to him being given a lethal injection incarcerated Chowchilla... Picture of Gabriel in the subsequent trial, Isauro 's defence team played call... 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