Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles about the boy. Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. 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. 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. But when they arrived, Isauro wasn't performing CPR. Sick mum Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirre beat Gabriel with a belt and burned him with cigarettes, sometimes in front of his siblings. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. Children are still getting murdered. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! The horrifying murder was detailed in Netflix documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. The Most Outrageous True Crime Stories of 2019, 11 True Crime Novels That Every Armchair Detective Will Love, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). According to the LA Times, Robert and Sandra claimed they warned cops that Pearl had a history of abuse with her other children but they allowed Gabriel to stay with her anyway. She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him. Here's all that we know about Michael and his partner, who too had tragic fates. 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"How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". For other inquiries, Contact Us. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. Robert Fernandez's account of this, however, differs. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. 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. We were not that type of parents. Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's. 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). You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. Young Gabriel Fernandez. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. In 2018 Gabriel's mother Pearl pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gabriel Fernandez: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents? The docuseries briefly goes into Gabriel's time under their care, years before his mother, Pearl, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, brutally killed the 8-year-old. One way or another," Contreras said. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. 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. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. 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.". As always you can unsubscribe at any time. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. 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 . The. Their abuse led to his death in May 2013. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. Before Gabriel Fernandez returned to his mother Pearl Fernandez, he was brought up by his Great uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his grandparents. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. 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. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. If you knew Pearl, Pearl was never the victim. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The evil actions of Pearl and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre - torturing and murdering her eight-year-old son - have appalled viewers of Netflix s latest docuseries. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandez's great-uncle) and his partner, David. Aguirre was sentenced to death. "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. Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. "They can . The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. "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. Fernandez's parents, Robert and Sandra, helped raise the child as well, looking after him between 2005 and 2012. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. ", Love Island fans' horror as axed Olivia handed power to destroy TWO other stars, Frogmore eviction shows King's drawn a line with Harry, Strictly star bags life-changing EastEnders role as part of new family, Baby's body found after huge search as cops quiz Constance Marten & lover, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Following Gabriels death, his great Uncle Michael criticised the Los Angeles Child Protection Services and led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church for Gabriel. "He was my baby," David said. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. In the documentary, Gabriel's move at the age of four was because his grandfather Robert Fernandez did not agree with a same-sex couple raising a child. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriels great-aunt and Michaels sister spoke highly of Michael and David parenting. A new voice joined the outcry. How safe is your neighborhood? The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it., Its alleged Pearl showed no affection for her baby, allegedly calling Michael and saying: Come and get your kid, hes getting on my nerves already.. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. I feel like they are here with me too.". Carranza's death meant he never saw justice for the little boy he loved so much. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. As we previously reported in our guide to Gabriel's grandparents, the claim alleges, "in or about March of 2005, Pearl Fernandez turned over custody of her son Gabriel Fernandez to her parents, Robert and Sandra Fernandez stating she did not want Gabriel and had no love for the child.". (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Isauro Aguirre was given the death penalty for the murder of Gabriel Fernandez. Speaking in the documentary, David Martinez explained how they came to raise Gabriel in the first place. 1M views 2 years ago It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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.". You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. However, in 2009, Gabriel left the care of Michael and David and lived with his grandparents until 2012. Gabriel Fernandez was born to a mother, Pearl Fernandez, that didn't know how to love him. Have a tip? He was declared brain dead and taken off life support two days later. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. But Contreras says a door opened recently. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. Your guess is just as good as mine. However, before he turned 4, the little boy began living with his grandparents Robert and Sandra Fernandez. 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. Four had been charged but the appeals court dismissed the case ruling that the workers did not have a legal responsibility to care for a child the way a parent did. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? All rights reserved. "Something brings it back in. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. Children are still getting murdered. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Three months later on February 24, Pearl pleaded guilty to the same charge.Whereas Isauro received the death penalty, Pearl was immune from receiving the death penalty after taking a plea deal. Gabriel's uncle, Chris Contreras, is breaking his silence. View our online Press Pack. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. Express.co.ukhas everything you need to know. "As far as Canada, they come. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. During the last eight months of his life, Gabriel was the victim of child abuse which eventually led to his murder in May 2013. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. [EXPLAINER]Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. After they beat the 8-year-old boy so badly that he needed to go to the hospital, where he eventually died, his uncles rushed to be by his side. 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. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Gabri At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. 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.". We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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.. Gabriel was first given to his great uncles, Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez, where he spent around four years. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. 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. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? 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. Four had been charged but the appeals court dismissed the case ruling that the workers did not have a legal responsibility to care for a child the way a parent did. "In her mind," Hatami said of Pearl, "She's thinking that they were gonna get rid of him. [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. In Netflix's The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Gabriel's relationship with Carranza and Martinez is described as the most loving, but what happened to his great-uncle? But they didn't," said Carranza. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. 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. PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. 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. 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. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? But things could have been so different for Gabriel if hed been allowed to continue living with other relatives. Gabriel lived with Michael and David for the first few years of his life. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? Days after Gabriel was born on February 21, 2005, he was placed in the care of his Great Uncle Michael, who was the uncle of Gabriels mother Pearl. Here are some of the mysteries about Gabriel's tragic story which still haven't been resolved. It is not any easier," Contreras said. But Gov. David currently resides in San Salvador, where he was interviewed for the docuseries. 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. In the documentary, Martinez explains that he currently lives in El Salvador after being deported by ICE. The recent Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez". He didnt look like a child," she says. 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. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Eventually, Pearl took Gabriel from his grandparents eight months before his death on May 24, 2013. 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. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's great-uncle, with whom Gabriel lived with for the first four years of his life, along with Michael's partner, David Martinez. Car loads.". WHEN little Gabriel Fernandez took his last breath in intensive care, his broken body lay covered in injuries worse than any of his doctors had ever seen from his shattered skull to the burns and bruises all over his skin. Carranza slammed social services for their failings in a rally held days after Gabriel died. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. When emergency services were called to his home in May 2013, he was found with a fractured skull, broken ribs and BB gun bullets in his skin, to name a few of his horrific injuries. "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. For him, it's personal. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. Following this, Martinez was deported by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) back to his native El Salvador. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. DON'T MISSGabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. She contemplated abortion on several occasions and would have gone through with it had her uncle had not convinced her to have the baby. When he was 3 days old, Pearl sent her son to live with Michael. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. Her theory was that Pearl told authorities that it was bigger boys that were harming her son, not her and her partner. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. During the last eight months of . Monster mum Pearl and her partner Isauro, who was also known as "Tony", were both convicted for the horrors they inflicted on Gabriel. Martinez, who was featured in the documentary, explained, She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Sadly, just 16 months after Gabriels death, 46-year-old Michael Lemos Carranza died on September 17, 2014. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. I haven't been here [San Salvador] for 38 years. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. "It's. See the 'Counting On' Kids' Houses, Look How Much the Little Couple's Kids Will and Zoey Have Grown Up, Every Look From the Kardashian-Jenner Family at the 2021 Met Gala, Gabby Petito's Texts Show 'More and More Tension' With Brian Laundrie, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings, Jon Gosselin Is 'Open' With Kids Collin, Hannah About Their Dating Lives. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming now on Netflix. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? In the doc, he says, "ICE got hold of me. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. We were not allowed to see him, Martinez explained in the doc. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". His memory has generated positive steps to save children. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered. Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? "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. It's all those emotions are there. "They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. 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? It was her uncle, Michael Lemos Carranza, and his partner, David Martinez, who took care of Gabriel Fernandez during the first year of his life. They also locked the helpless child in a cupboard that the family would disturbingly call "the box" and forced him to eat cat faeces all because they thought he was gay. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. More info. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. 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. Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." "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. "When her and Tony would fight, she was the abusive one to him.". It is not any easier.". 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. They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. "When I heard that sheriffs had went out and threatened Gabriel as if he keeps lying about things, that made me very angry," Elizabeth said. 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. 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 . She said: He had a depressed skull fracture, meaning you could feel his skull You could feel the crepitus its almost like Rice Krispies, you could feel it crunching on 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. ", In Martinez's account, he and Carranza had to give Gabriel up due to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a full brown reveal of the life and death of an eight.
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