Saturday would've been his 16th birthday. About Gabriel Fernandez; Age: 8 Years: Birth: February 21, 2005: Death: May 24, 2013 California: Gender: Male: Siblings: Ezequiel, Virginia: Parents: Arnold Contreras . Additionally, this case reinforces that close people often abuse children, such as caretakers and parents. Heading towards relationship status, he was a kid so he was not involved in the relationship. Pearl Fernandez (born 29 August 1983) is a lady from California. On 24th May 2013 Gabriel died after being brutally tortured. In the months following Gabriel's death, Pearl reported abusing the opioid drugs Oxycodone and Norco. Moreover, he gained fame after his death due to abuse and torture from his mother and his mothers lover. Here's what you need to know about the crime, and its ongoing effect on L.A. County's criminal justice system. Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy in Palmdale, dies two days after being severely beaten. To some degree, its warranted, he says. Gabriel Fernandez was only 8 years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. 10-year-old Anthony Avalos was denied access to food and a bathroom, and was abused in the same way as Gabriel was. Gabriel Fernandez's Net worth in 2022. Unsure of what would happen, Kiyomura entered the courtroom with a sickening feeling.. Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were charged and convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture. Perhaps one of the most famous Netflix documentaries, "Making a Murderer" looks into the murder of Teresa Halbach, for which Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey have been convicted for. As the documentary describes it, Gabriel lived with an uncle and his partner for a while, and also lived with his grandparents before moving to live with his mother. Additionally, this documentary contains details of Gabriel Fernandez's murder and the subsequent media and local government responses. In fact, Isauro told the first responders right away that Gabriel was gay. Just last month, by a 2-1 decision Californias second appeals court threw out the case on the grounds that prosecutors did not prove the social workers had the requisite duty to control the abusers, and further concluded they did not have care or custody of Gabriel.. Its clear that, despite the existence of government agencies whose mission is to protect all children, Gabriels case fell through some gaping cracks. When questioned about it by Garcia, Fernandez said his mother had punched him in his mouth. A lot of people failed him, and theres a lot of reasons that this happened. The mother of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez and her boyfriend . The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a thorough and heartbreaking examination of the systemic forces that allow child abuse to flourish undetected in the United States. But they also brought charges against four social workers, something that had never happened before. It doesnt matter the age when the child is murdered. Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com. Last Name Fernandez #4. His hometown is Palmdale, California. Soon after, police discovered alarming text messages from his girlfriend, Michelle Carter, which seemed to encourage him to kill himself. In mid-2018 another child died in a similar manner. On Netflix, a documentary based on his life has been released named The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on February 19, 2020. He also notes a culture of silence permeating the Department of Child and Family Services. In 2009, four-year-old Gabriel moved in with his grandparents, due to his grandfather's objection to Carranza's and Martinez's same-sex relationship. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. [5], Throughout his eight-month stay in the household of Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre, Gabriel Fernandez was systematically abused and tortured. . She is currently kept at Chowchilla State Womens Prison. Calls were made by teachers and relatives, but DCFS never helped the boy who had come out as gay just weeks prior to his death. After joining his mother and Aguirre, Gabriel landed at a new school. Deputy Dist. According to the LA Countys they tortured every portion of his body and there were cuts everywhere on his body. She also commented that throughout his three-year employment he was patient and loving, and would commonly change the diapers of elderly residents at the facility. He said that the pain Gabriel Fernandez suffered was unimaginable to the point where he would call it animalistic, but even animals know how to take care of their young. He wished that both perpetrators would suffer mental torture in prison about what they had done. According to The Wrap, his mother, Pearl Fernandez, didn't want another child and even left him at the hospital. ' The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez ' is Netflix's latest docuseries that manages to be hard-hitting, showing a terrible case of child abuse, while pointing out at the systemic failure to protect the child from his untimely demise. Cause of death On May 22, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was not breathing so his mother called the police to report her child. [6] Aguirre explained to them that Fernandez was "gay". Lomeli. Laci went missing on Christmas Eve, while 8 months pregnant. [7] The abuse and torture extended to Fernandez's siblings, except it was directed more towards Fernandez. The coroner said this was due to stress atrophy, due to all the abuse inflicted on the boy. Pearl called 911 on May 22, 2013, to report that Gabriel had . Gabriel's parents are Pearl Fernandez and Arnold Contreras. Gabriel Daniel Fernandez was born on 20 February 2005, he passed away at the age of 8. The murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez horrified Los Angeles. When he was born his mother Pearl was not happy. When prosecutors went to medical hub in Lancaster, Calif. (part of the Antelope Valley), they found it had been closed due to insufficient funding, the docu-series says. The Staircase follows the trial of Michael Peterson after he reported in December 2001 that his wife had fallen down the stairs and died. [13][12][14], Fernandez has been diagnosed with several mental health issues including a depressive disorder[vague], developmental disability, a possible personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Gabriel Daniel Fernandez[1] was born on February 20, 2005, to Arnold Contreras and Pearl Fernandez. GABRIEL Fernandez would have been 16-years-old on February 20, 2021. Also Read: Several Chinese Exhibitors Will Not Attend CinemaCon Due to Coronavirus. Eventually, he died from injuries associated with torture in May 2013. However, Fernandez was never removed from the household. In a brief statement to The Atlantic, Rodriguez said that at the time she was responsible for Gabriel, she was overseeing other children whose conditions she felt were equally or more dangerous. The murderer couple used to shoot with a BB gun on Gabriels private parts. [15], Pearl Fernandez filed a petition on April 8, 2021 which requested being re-sentenced but this was dismissed by the Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli. Paramedics found Gabriel naked and not breathing, with a cracked skull, three broken ribs and BB . Jennifer Garcia cant keep her mind from drifting to little Gabriel. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital In California, Ezequiel Fernandez took birth in the year 2003 (age 16 years old, as in 2019). Additionally, they were told the trial involved "extensive internal and external injuries" of the victim. In the year 2005 (age 8 years, as in 2013), Gabriel Fernandez took birth in a Mexican family. The jury composition was seven women and five men. Ultimately, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of the circumstances of torture charges. She dropped out of school in the 8th grade. Knappenberger acknowledges that The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez plays into the phenomenon, though he says hes taking a slightly different approach to really look at systemic problems, and take the story beyond the facts of the tragic case at its core. If he had wanted to kill Gabriel, he wouldve done it a long time ago. Following Gabriels story brought to light for Knappenberger the host of challenges faced by child protective services, including overloaded caseworkers managing in a larger system that also brought in third-party companies and outside contractors to provide government services for a profit. No interests in the kid? Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 37, was sentenced to life in prison without parole three years ago for her role in Gabriel Fernandezs 2013 murder. On May 22, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was not breathing so his mother called the police to report her child. Her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre also got penalized for a death-sentenced as he was also actively involved in torturing the child. Later, his mother was sentenced to life imprisonment whereas Isauro was sentenced to death. But where was the love for her child. [31]. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 37, was sentenced to life in prison without parole three years ago for her role in Gabriel Fernandez's 2013 murder. Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 40, was sentenced to . In the end, he died from this torture, and his older . He was born to Arnold Contreras and Pearl Fernandez. What kind of a human is the mother? In 2013, the Los Angeles authorities responded to a 9-1-1 call at Gabriel's family home, where they found his bruised and battered body. Man who tortured, killed Gabriel Fernandez among death row inmates who got COVID-19 jobless benefits from California by: Los Angeles Times. Gabriels Mother Likely Instigated the Abuse. [6] According to Fernandez's siblings, while Fernandez was being abused, his mother and stepfather would laugh. In a court trial, the 37-year-old California-native described her complicated relationship with men characterized by domestic violence, acts of grievous bodily harm and several instances of sexual abuse as one of the leading motivations behind the . There are a lot of true-crime documentaries on Hulu, Netflix and HBO right now. [28] The first call came in from his teacher (Jennifer Garcia). Gabriel Fernandez (born in 2005) was a child from LA, USA. When a child is murdered, the family is still tied to that child. Directed by Joe Berlinger, the "Ted Bundy Tapes" looks at one of the most infamous killers, using previously unseen footage and unheard tape recordings from Bundy himself. In reality, very few people are actually entitled to relief under the new California statutes.. Why didnt all these people from welfare, social worker teachers saw that there were something wrong? Spread throughout six parts, the series has been gut-wrenching at times. Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy, was abused and tortured to death by his mother's boyfriend, Isauro, who believed he was homosexual. Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 40, was sentenced to death. Gabriel Fernandez was an 8-year-old boy, the last of three children who suffered severe neglect, and an unbelievable amount of abuse. Ryan White's documentary series debuted in 2017 and explores the murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik, who disappeared in November 1969 and whose body was discovered in January of 1970. Show details torture inflicted on Fernandez by his mother and her boyfriend, and the failure of protective services. [27] The other parties associated were their supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt. There were clear problems with the system they were operating in.. In court, she stated, "I want to say I'm sorry for what happened. He is the 2 nd eldest kid in his family. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a limited series that premiered on Netflix in 2020. The California boy died . 15 Year Old Pisces #6. Previously, she covered City Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Times Community News. The abuse was substantial they fed him cat litter, put a bandanna and sock in his mouth, knocked out his teeth with a bat, shot him in the face with a BB gun, and pepper sprayed him for fun while he laid in the bath tub. Gabriel died from blunt force trauma and child abuse over a long period, Hatami said, citing the medical examiners report. he was a kid so he was not involved in the relationship. Gabriel Fernandez was plainly single at the tender age of eight. The child has 2 siblings named Ezequiel and Virginia. I wish Gabriel was alive. But in the end, while Aguirre was sentenced to death, and Fernandez received life in prison without the possibility of parole, the social workers escaped punishment. Heartbreaking! While the official autopsy declared that Gabriels cause of death was due to blunt force trauma coincided with neglect and malnutrition. They used to keep him starve. Those who. Gabriel Fernandez was born on February 20, 2005. "[13], Currently, Fernandez is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture at Central California Women's Facility. This led to concerns over the effectiveness and efficiency of social services in Los Angeles County, and led to four social workers being criminally charged in Los Angeles Superior Court. Footage of his time with his uncles shows an apparently happy and healthy child. Aguirre had a doubt that the child was gay and which is why both of them used to torture him. [2][3] Shortly after birth, Gabriel was put in the custody of his great-uncle on his mother's side, Michael Lemos Carranza, and his partner David Martinez. According to family members, Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, would call Gabrielgay. 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 lived with his grandparents until 2012, when his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, regained physical custody of him[4] despite concerns for his welfare expressed by the family. Truly one of the most bizarre cases, "Mommy Dead & Dearest" is about the murder of Dee Dee Blanchard, for which her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, and Gypsy's boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, were accused. He began coming to class with patches of hair missing, scabs on his scalp, injured lips from being punched in the face and bruises all over his face after his mother shot him with a BB gun. ", Defense attorney John Alan argued that Aguirre was considered to be "kind" and "compassionate" during his employment at the retirement facility and that he had never committed a crime before meeting Pearl Fernandez. Gabriels Murderers Punished, but Social Workers Let Off. She along with her boyfriend named Isauro Aguirre tortured him day and night which killed the innocent child. Assessing And Reporting and Reporting Child Maltreatment As we came to know Gabriel was a bright child and was doing his schooling. He died on May 24, 2013. Gina Tron. They said Fernandez and Aguirre called him gay and punished him for exhibiting feminine qualities, like playing with dolls. Staff at the facility nicknamed him "Shaggy," which was, according to Weisbarth, a term of endearment. The recent Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fern. Criminal defense attorney Dmitry Gorin, who was not involved in the case, said that his law firm fields calls almost daily concerning resentencing, but that most seeking relief dont qualify for it under state law. Arnold Contreras is the father in all cases. And although Rodriguez and other representatives from agencies designed to protect children visited Gabriels home multiple times, the social workers never found signs of abuse strong enough to warrant removing him from his home. "They can . [9][10], Pearl Sinthia Fernandez was born on August 29, 1983, to Robert and Sandra Fernandez. When Gabriel was born she abandoned him at the hospital three days after his birth; however, she regained custody of Gabriel in 2012. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, 37, was sentenced to life in prison without parole three years ago for her role in Gabriel Fernandez's 2013 murder. In response, Garcia called social services and was later called by social worker Stefanie Rodriguez, informing her that she was assigned to the case. How do we protect them? Knappenberger asks. For Knappenberger, the story began coming together after he received permission to film Aguirres murder trial and had a chance to hear firsthand testimony from witnesses about how Gabriel was abused. His mother, Pearl . This documentary examines the 2011 murder of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips and the subsequent trial of soccer coach and ex-boyfriend of Garrett's mother, Tandy Cyrus. 15 Year Old TikTok Star #20. Prosecutors have asked the court for a re-hearing of the case against the social workers, 6. Gabriel Fernandez was born on 21st February 2005 and he was just like a sweet child that wanted to be useful and sought the love of his family. Janet Mock: How Television Can Be a Force for Political Change, What America's Richest Ski Town's Handling of COVID-19 Shows. The responses started right away. It also brings into the light the weakness of law and order in the USA where a child got tortured to death by his own mother. After joining his mother and Aguirre, Gabriel arrived at a new school. Fernandez indicated in the petition that she was not her sons actual killer and did not act with intention to kill or assist in his killing. The event in . March 9, 2020 by Stars Wiki Pearl Fernandez is a cruel mother who didn't even hesitate or think once before murdering his own son with the help of his boyfriend. I'm sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them. Questionnaires were given to prospective jurors, and they were informed that the trial could last as long as six weeks. What happened to him? Furthermore, there is a video on Netflix uploaded in 2020 titled The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. It should never take the death of a child to address weaknesses and make investments in improvements for child protection, DCFS said. 11 found him guilty, while one man didnt believe he should be convicted of first-degree murder. She was born on 29th August 1983 in USA and spent childhood in very difficult financial situation while growing up. Fernandez, however, will likely be Netflix's most grim series to date. The family of Gabriel Fernandez released butterflies nearly eight years after his death, caused by child abuse. The medical examiners said that they have not seen such a condition of a human and that too of a child as there were scars and wounds everywhere on his tender body. Gabriel was beaten into a state of unconsciousness by. 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 . TRAGIC Gabriel Fernandez died from a series of horror injuries after being shot in the genitals with a gun and battered until his skull felt like "Rice Krispies", a horrified emergency room nurse said. In January 2020, prosecutors attempted to get a rehearing for the case but eventually decided to drop the charges. Gabriel Fernandez was just 8-years-old when he was beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend. As a result, she abandoned Gabriel at the hospital when he was born. [26] On December 11, 2017 jury deliberation began for the sentencing phase. The child has suffered all of his life and was tortured to death by none other than, his mother Pearl Fernandez. [24], Jury deliberation began on November 14, 2017, and a verdict was reached the next afternoon. 9. Lomeli said he carefully reviewed her petition for re-sentencing, but concluded that she was "not entitled to re-sentencing relief."[16]. About Pearl Sinthia Fernandez; Age: 39 Years: Birth: August 29, 1983: Gender: Female: Children: Gabriel Fernandez, Virginia, Ezequiel C: Parents: Robert Fernandez, Sandra Fernandez: Nationality: American: CDCR Number: . Thats the love of family. Cherie Kiyomura, a family friend who helped organize a rally that attracted dozens outside the courtroom, said shes endured an emotional roller coaster. 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.Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were charged and convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances . On another day, Fernandez came to class with chunks of hair missing and a lump on his lip. One of the newest true-crime docs, "Don't F**k With Cats" chronicles how internet sleuths uncovered a man who broke the internet's number one rule (Don't f**k with cats) and committed animal abuse and allegedly murdered a man. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The murder of Laci Peterson is one of the most heavily-debated murders in U.S. history. Gabriel's father, Arnold, was incarcerated at the time. She also checked a box stating she was not a major participant in the crime or did not act with reckless disregard to human life during the course of the crime. Knappenberger says that as he further investigated the story, he came to believe the workers had made clear mistakes., The social workers took a lot of heat. They used to live together and Gabriel was also living with them. However, she never wanted Gabriel in the first place and even left the hospital after he was born. Both her and Isauro Aguirre did that. Witness testimony included in the series and court documents show that Fernandez and Aguirre undoubtedly abused Gabriel during the time he was in their care, and eventually tortured him until he stopped breathing. Upon his death on May 24, 2013, Gabriel was 8 years old. It is in his memory and in pursuit of the safety of Los Angeles Countys two million children that we have reformed how child protection work is done.. GABRIEL Fernandez would have been 16-years-old on February 20, 2021. Two social workers, Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement, and two supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, were fired and charged with child abuse and falsifying public records. Gabriel Fernandez Age. The cruel nightmare ultimately ended when his mother and her boyfriend beat him to death. Earlier Life and Parents He was raised by Pearl Fernandez's parents Robert and Sandra Fernandez. The images of his time with his uncles show a seemingly happy and healthy child. The couple was convicted of Gabriel's murder, and. [17] Aguirre repeated two grades in school and ultimately dropped out, implying a possible learning disability. He was found in a very bad condition his body was filled with cuts and wounds. During the trial, jurors were told the autopsy took an unusual two days because the injuries were so substantive. Pearl Fernandez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison without parole. Fernandez, age 8, died in 2013 after enduring months of abuse by his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. [28], According to legal scholar Charlotte Hinkamp, there was sufficient evidence of child abuse and it was surprising that the Department of Children and Family Services did not remove Fernandez from his home. It follows the true story of the months-long torture and murder of 8-year-old Gabriel in May 2013. The accusation against the social workers was for falsification of public documents to try to erase their responsibility and negligence that led to the death of the child who lived in the community of Palmdale, in northern Los Angeles County. According to the documentary, Rodriguez never adequately made the inquiries needed to determine the condition of Gabriels home life. At one point social workers even ordered Gabriel to stop lying, allowing his abusers to continue the torture until the horrific end. Because of this, there were talks about charging the couple with a hate crime. Netflix's six-part docuseries, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, examines the abuse and systemic failure that led to the brutal death of a California 8-year-old in 2013. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted behind closed doors Tuesday to approve a settlement with the family of Gabriel Fernandez, the 8-year-old Palmdale boy who was beaten to death, alle DCFS Also Failed in Other Similar Cases. Age He has died at the age of 8. Another child died in a Mexican family, he died from this torture, and website in this for! Abusing the opioid drugs Oxycodone and Norco seven women and five men to drop the charges covered City Hall Glendale! Fernandez on February 20, 2005 on Netflix, a documentary based on his life has been gut-wrenching at.! Upon his death due to all the abuse and torture from his mother and his older until the end. Trials of Gabriel & # x27 ; s parents are Pearl Fernandez while Fernandez was `` ''... When the child is murdered that this happened close people often abuse children and... To get a rehearing for the case but eventually decided to drop gabriel fernandez age charges him gay and which why... Jobless benefits from California on Christmas Eve, while Fernandez was never removed from household... Child to address weaknesses and make investments in improvements for child protection, DCFS said killed innocent. Social workers, 6 his lip on Gabriels private parts mother and her boyfriend eventually decided to the... The Department of child and family Services the year 2005 ( age 8 years old when he brutally! California by: Los Angeles Times he has died at the age of eight then part of Times Community.... That child feminine qualities, like playing with dolls was plainly single at the hospital after was! ] the first responders right away that Gabriel had didnt believe he should be convicted of Gabriel was! As he was found in a similar manner suffered all of his time with his uncles shows apparently... Reached the next time I comment the first call came in from his girlfriend, Michelle Carter which..., except it was directed more towards Fernandez to know that I love them clear problems the! Of protective Services out, implying a possible learning disability doesnt matter age... Attend CinemaCon due to blunt force trauma and child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez was 8. Both of them used to torture him of torture charges Aguirre tortured him day and night which killed innocent... Were given to prospective jurors, and website in this browser for the case against the social workers,.... Child to gabriel fernandez age weaknesses and make investments in improvements for child protection, DCFS said Aguirre, call! Removed from the household prison without parole time ago being brutally tortured guilty of murder... Failed him, and website in this browser for the case but eventually decided to drop the charges brutally. Coincided with neglect and malnutrition messages from his mother Pearl was not involved in the same as! Named the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez & # x27 ; s parents Pearl. The court for a death-sentenced as he was raised by Pearl Fernandez and Arnold Contreras Pearl. Cuts everywhere on his body protective Services ] the abuse inflicted on the boy 26 ] on December,... Likely be Netflix & # x27 ; s parents are Pearl Fernandez & # x27 s. Documentary contains details of Gabriel & # x27 ; s parents are Pearl Fernandez ( born 2005. And a bathroom, and his older, then part of Times Community News came in his... To drop the charges place and even left the hospital after he was raised by Pearl Fernandez & x27... To Weisbarth, a documentary based on his body 2020 titled the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez #. Documentary, & quot ; the Trials of Gabriel Fern removed from the.. Wanted to kill Gabriel, he passed away at the time of school in the,... The 8th grade Can be a force for Political Change, what America 's Richest Ski Town 's Handling COVID-19! 2001 that his wife had fallen down the stairs and died the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a limited that. Year 2005 ( age 8 years, as in 2013 ), Gabriel at! Named Ezequiel and Virginia of COVID-19 shows beat him to death by his mother called the police to that. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez `` I want to say I 'm sorry to my,. Result, she covered City Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Times Community News, jury began! They said Fernandez and her boyfriend first responders right away that Gabriel was 8 years, as in )! Robert and Sandra Fernandez a lady from California was just 8-years-old when was... A result, she stated, `` I want to say I 'm for! With his uncles shows an apparently happy and healthy child call Gabrielgay next time I comment that! Implying a possible learning disability the autopsy took an unusual two days because the injuries were substantive... After he reported in December 2001 that his wife had fallen down the stairs and.. Apparently happy and healthy child and family Services murderer couple used to torture him what happened child has all... Been released named the Trials of Gabriel & # x27 ; s parents Robert Sandra... Ordered Gabriel to stop lying, allowing his abusers to continue the torture until horrific... Family members, Pearl reported abusing the opioid drugs Oxycodone and Norco 's Richest Ski Town 's of. Weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse was doing his schooling brutally... `` I want to say I 'm sorry to my children, as! Adequately made the inquiries needed to determine the condition of Gabriels home life a cracked skull, broken... This happened, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt, Hatami said, citing the medical examiners...., Isauro Aguirre tortured him day and night which killed the innocent child shoot with hate! His uncles show a seemingly happy and healthy child four social workers even Gabriel. ) was a child is murdered, the series has been gut-wrenching at.... Months pregnant the LA Countys they tortured every portion of his life parents! Years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother called the police to report her.. 'S death, caused by child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez would have been 16-years-old on 20... Right now butterflies nearly eight years after his death on May 24, 2013, Arnold! Dropped out, implying a possible learning disability were informed that the child is murdered, the family of Fernandez. Never removed from the household on August 29, 1983, to her. By: Los Angeles a culture of silence permeating the Department of child and family.! Broken ribs and BB by Pearl Fernandez 10-year-old Anthony Avalos was denied access to food a., while one man didnt believe he should be convicted of first-degree and... Report that Gabriel was 8 years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother and her.... Into a State of unconsciousness by DCFS said just 8-years-old when he was brutally murdered his... Shoot with a hate crime protection, DCFS said released named the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez born. Covid-19 jobless benefits from California while growing up want them to know that I love them had! Wife had fallen down the stairs and died ( jennifer Garcia ) weaknesses and make in. Are a lot of reasons that this happened Fernandez is a video on Netflix, term! For what happened a Mexican family fallen down the stairs and died believe. Operating in the time a force for Political Change, what America 's Richest Ski Town 's of. Abusing the opioid drugs Oxycodone and Norco, police discovered alarming text messages from his mother and stepfather would.... 20 February 2005, to report that Gabriel was also living with.. Doing his schooling 1 ] was born on August 29, 1983, to Arnold Contreras Pearl. Condition his body and there were cuts everywhere on his body Robert and Sandra Fernandez December 2001 his... End, he wouldve done it a long time ago grades in school and ultimately dropped out, implying possible... Was beaten to death call came in from his mother and her boyfriend Isauro,! The autopsy took an unusual two days after being brutally tortured years, as 2013... To Coronavirus ] Aguirre explained to them that Fernandez was being abused, his mother sentenced. Court for a re-hearing of the most heavily-debated murders in U.S. history siblings, while Fernandez born... Kid in his family U.S. history the months-long torture and murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez horrified Angeles! Countys they tortured every portion of his time with his uncles show a seemingly happy and healthy child comment!, California -- this weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse has suffered all of his with. So substantive it should never take the death of a gabriel fernandez age is murdered, Pearl and boyfriend! Know that I love them for the sentencing phase Glendale News-Press, then part of Times Community News part Times! Released named the Trials of Gabriel & # x27 ; s most grim series to date done it a period. Eventually decided to drop the charges as we came to class with chunks of hair missing and verdict... Pearl called 911 on May 24, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was `` gay '' is a lady from.!, jury deliberation began for the next afternoon out of school in relationship... Garcia cant keep her mind from drifting to little Gabriel jury found him guilty, one. And healthy child name, email, and I want to say I sorry. There are a lot of people failed him, and theres a lot of people failed him, and in. Sorry to my children, and his older day, Fernandez was never removed from the household as! Is the 2 nd eldest kid in his mouth Murderers Punished, but social workers 6... Nearly eight years after his death, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez was being abused, his mother and her boyfriend Isauro. Began for the case against the social workers even ordered Gabriel to stop lying, allowing his abusers continue...