10-year-old Anthony Avalos was denied access to food and a bathroom, and was abused in the same way as Gabriel was. Lomeli said he carefully reviewed her petition for re-sentencing, but concluded that she was "not entitled to re-sentencing relief."[16]. [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. Cause of death On May 22, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was not breathing so his mother called the police to report her child. On Netflix, a documentary based on his life has been released named The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on February 19, 2020. He died at the age of eight. The murderer couple used to shoot with a BB gun on Gabriels private parts. Pearl Fernandez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison without parole. 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. As the school year went on, the abuse Gabriel endured worsened. Unsurprisingly, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Gabriels mother and her boyfriend. GABRIEL Fernandez would have been 16-years-old on February 20, 2021. Every day I wish that I would have made better choices. A 2018 investigation into Gabriels case published in The Atlantic by the journalist Garrett Therolf, who also appears throughout the series, cites L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) records to show that Rodriguez never received information that showed Pearl Fernandez had a history of abusing or neglecting her other children. At the crime scene, the investigator came in with red stickers to mark blood spatter around the apartment. The murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez horrified Los Angeles. In the end, he died from this torture, and his older . It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Saturday would've been his 16th birthday. This American kid was not active on social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. On Wednesday, Netflix will release a six-part docu-series examining how both Gabriel's family and the justice system failed an eight-year-old boy named Gabriel Fernandez. In the documentary, one paramedic who arrived at the scene says Gabriels case was the worst she ever encountered in her career. The series, which began. Gabriel Fernandez was an 8-year-old boy, the last of three children who suffered severe neglect, and an unbelievable amount of abuse. Check out Evil Genius, I Love You, Now Die and The Murder of Laci Peterson on streamers. 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. [6] According to Fernandez's siblings, while Fernandez was being abused, his mother and stepfather would laugh. In fact, Isauro told the first responders right away that Gabriel was gay. On contrary, his deceased brother Gabriel Fernandez was at the age of 8 years old when he was murdered brutally by their mother Pearl in 2013. 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. Aguirre was charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture for murdering Gabriel Fernandez. [20] In March/April 2021, Aguirre was transferred to Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Haban pasado ocho meses desde que se fue a vivir con ellos. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez Limited Series Release year: 2020 A boy's brutal murder and the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system's protection of vulnerable children. The child has suffered all of his life and was tortured to death by none other than, his mother Pearl Fernandez. Ezequiel Fernandez is currently at the age of 18 years old as of 2022. But where was the love for her child. His fathers name is Arnold Contreras who has many charges against him used to go to jail quite often. Is it normal for you to bleed? he asked, according to Garcia. 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. Unfortunately, five years later, another boy died under the same circumstances. However, there was a lot of blood and lacerations to the head that caused investigators to look into a possible homicide. Most recently, a four year old boy was being abused. Under the title The trials of Gabriel Fernandez the documentary depicted the judicial cases carried out in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County against the mother of the child, Pearl Fernandez, his stepfather Isauro Aguirre, and four employees of the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS): Stefanie Rodrguez, Patricia Clement, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt. He was just 8 years old at his demise, so he had not experienced professional life. [5], Throughout his eight-month stay in the household of Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre, Gabriel Fernandez was systematically abused and tortured. She was born on 29th August 1983 in USA and spent childhood in very difficult financial situation while growing up. Further, Fernandezs siblings explained that while Fernandez was being abused, his mother and her boyfriend, Istana would laugh. Prosecutors have asked the court for a re-hearing of the case against the social workers, 6. Gabriel Fernandez was born on February 20, 2005. Fernandez was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and Aguirre was sentenced to death. After being hit with the metal buckle side of a belt, he asked his teacher, Jennifer Garcia, if it's "normal to bleed." A Los Angeles County judge has dismissed the case against four social workers charged in connection with the gruesome 2013 torture death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. According to Elizabeth (sister of Isauro Aguirre), Pearl is mentally not well and she changed her brother and made him violent just like her. Heartbreaking! The story also delves into how he was able to infiltrate a family and use their weaknesses to his advantage. 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. All Rights Reserved. However, Gabriels well-being took a radical turn in 2012, when Pearl Fernandez reportedly welcomed him to obtain welfare benefits, despite his familys concerns that she was negligent with her other children. YOU'VE REACHED YOUR MONTHLY ARTICLE LIMIT. Soon after, police discovered alarming text messages from his girlfriend, Michelle Carter, which seemed to encourage him to kill himself. Gabriel Fernandez died two days after being found with a cracked skull, shattered ribs, severe burns and BB pellets buried in his body. 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. Pearl called 911 on May 22, 2013, to report that Gabriel had . 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. But when you get to the end, its about: how do you want to treat kids?. GABRIEL Fernandez would have been 16-years-old on February 20, 2021. The boy Gabriel Fernandez was just 8 years old when he found dead on 24th May 24 2013 due to inflicted injuries he suffered when he was tortured, including a fractured skull, broken ribs and cigarette burns all over his body. Heres what to know about the true story behind the series, out on Netflix on Feb. 26. The department has hired more than 3,000 new social workers since 2013 in an effort to lower caseloads for workers and retrained workers on how to interview witnesses and detect physical injuries, according to the statement. So they naturally believe their family members are eligible to be released from prison, he said. While the official autopsy declared that Gabriels cause of death was due to blunt force trauma coincided with neglect and malnutrition. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Gabriel Fernandez is not having an affair with anyone presently. Here's what you need to know about the crime, and its ongoing effect on L.A. County's criminal justice system. Furthermore, there is a video on Netflix uploaded in 2020 titled The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. Caption: Gabriel Fernandez ( Photo: People) This doc follows the death of 18-year-old Conrad Roy who died by suicide in his car in 2014. Additionally, Fernandez had pending charges against her for threatening to stab Arnold Contreras. 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. In fact, law enforcement often (there were multiple house calls) took Pearl Fernandezs word that everything was fine, and never even asked to see Gabriel. The images of his time with his uncles show a seemingly happy and healthy child. . Paramedics found Gabriel naked and not breathing, with a cracked skull, three broken ribs and BB . But was it all a hoax? Additionally, they were told the trial involved "extensive internal and external injuries" of the victim. The social workers were accused of minimizing the evidence that Gabriel was abused and of falsely reporting that safety programs for Gabriel were working, when the abuse was only worsening, the documentary shows. Pearl gave out his son to his gay uncles . 15 Year Old Pisces #6. The doc explores looks into the years of abuse Gypsy suffered at the hands of her mother, who suffered from Munchausen by proxy. This documentary investigates the double murder of a 13-year-old girl and her family's servant at their home in India, which sparked a media frenzy. 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. [22] However, when Gabriel died, Fernandez and Aguirre were both charged with first degree murder with special circumstances of torture; prosecutors pursued the death penalty. Fernandez had been fatally beaten by his mother and Aguirre after failing to clean up his toys. The boy Gabriel Fernandez was just 8 years old when he found dead on 24th May 24 2013 due to inflicted injuries he suffered when he was tortured, including a fractured skull, broken ribs and cigarette burns all over his body. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. According to grand jury testimony obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Gabriels siblings said he was forced to eat cat litter and was kept locked in a cabinet in his mothers room. Questionnaires were given to prospective jurors, and they were informed that the trial could last as long as six weeks. 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 . I'm sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them. 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. The series debuts at a high point of popularity for true crime stories, which have found large audiences through podcasts, books, and now, an influx of documentaries on streaming services. At the center of the series is Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old boy who died in May 2013 after being severely abused and tortured by his mother and her boyfriend, both of whom were arrested and convicted for his death. Gabriel Fernandez: Age, Parents, Ethnicity, Education, Gabriel Fernandez: Professional life, Career. The six-episode series looks into the 2013 murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez by his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. But they also brought charges against four social workers, something that had never happened before. Critics have noted that obsession over true crime stories can lead to a risk of sensationalism of violence, with victims stories exploited for entertainment. And as detailed in Netflixs documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, he was consistently let down by the system when he most needed help. Gabriel Fernandez's net worth is about $2 million as of 2022. [25][24], When the trial began, jurors were given details about the extensive abuse Gabriel Fernandez went through in the months preceding his fatal beating. By the time of his death eight years later, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) had received 60 complaints about his mother's household. During the trial, jurors were told the autopsy took an unusual two days because the injuries were so substantive. 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. [18] He worked for Woodland Park Retirement Hotel where he was a caregiver and a driver. [24], Jury deliberation began on November 14, 2017, and a verdict was reached the next afternoon. However, Fernandez was never removed from the household. Additionally, this documentary contains details of Gabriel Fernandez's murder and the subsequent media and local government responses. They failed! City News Service contributed to this report. It can be seen from all interviews and reports that before moving with his mother, Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, and two brothers in Palmdale, located north of Los Angeles, Gabriel was dragged into the homes of his relatives. The judicial case for the murder of the child Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his own mother and stepfather. When Gabriel was born she abandoned him at the hospital three days after his birth; however, she regained custody of Gabriel in 2012. 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: . Pearl murdered her 8-year-old son named Gabriel Fernandez. [6] According to prosecutors, Aguirre was allegedly motivated to abuse Fernandez because he believed Fernandez was gay. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. When first responders arrived, they found him on the ground naked with several injuries. No interests in the kid? Gabriel was taken to the hospital and later declared brain-dead. The series includes a sizable amount of research on ways to combat child abuse, and details how child protective systems often fail because of a lack of transparency. Ultimately, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez becomes a referendum on how we treat societys most vulnerable people. Garcia, who appears throughout the six-part series, says that a couple weeks after he started in her classroom, Gabriel asked her, Is it normal for moms to hit their kids? When she pressed him, Gabriel asked if it was normal to be hit with a belt buckle. It doesnt matter how long ago the crime happened. After some hours, Gabriel was taken to the hospital but unfortunately, he passed away two days later on 24 May 2013 at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old boy, was abused and tortured to death by his mother's boyfriend, Isauro, who believed he was homosexual. The tragic story of Gabriel Fernandez in Netflix's The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez has moved many viewers. According to an article from The Atlantic, Pearl Fernandez "had a history of neglecting and abusing her children" even before she gained custody of Gabriel when he was 7. However, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez's aunt, and her husband claim that Fernandez falsely portrays herself as a victim and that it was Fernandez who was abusive and controlling towards her romantic partners. When a child is murdered, the family is still tied to that child. Pearl was 23 when she became pregnant with Gabriel. He mostly used to wear shorts and a T-shirt. Lomeli. Family members were privy to the abuse Pearl Fernandezs sister often slept over to shield Gabriel and the two other kids from the abuse. During the time they had custody of him, they put out cigarettes on him, shot him in the face with a BB gun, made him eat cat litter and feces, and forced him to sleep in a locked cabinet, often while gagged and bound. In court, she stated, "I want to say I'm sorry for what happened. Find out about this case in Gabriel Fernandez's wiki. I couldnt watch all of this, it make me sick down to my heart. 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County moves to require quake retrofits as Turkey-Syria death toll exceeds 50,000, Column: As help pours in for World War II vet, 102, with huge bill, SoCalGas wants a rate hike. Gabriel endured ongoing abuse and torture from his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, leading to his death. It doesnt matter the age when the child is murdered. Footage of his time with his uncles shows an apparently happy and healthy child. In making The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Knappenberger says he wanted to explore all the factors that contributed to Gabriels death. People say that his mother Pearl Fernandez is a violent lady and she even once attacked her husband with a knife. 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. Scott Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death by hanging. The Trails of Gabriel Fernandezs documentary details directed by Brian Knappenberger is a subsequent response by the media and local government. Gabriel Fernandez Mother. When the jury was seeking the death penalty for Aguirre, it was the same juror who voted against it, because he felt they needed to hear Aguirre out., 8. In addition, he was born in the year 2003. Ex-coworker Sherline Mille, who also worked for Woodland Park Retirement Hotel, noted that while Aguirre was driving residents he would often drive them the scenic route so they could get to see views other than the freeway. Gabriel Fernandez Relationship. As part of her February 2018 plea, Fernandez gave up her right to appeal. When questioned about it by Garcia, Fernandez said his mother had punched him in his mouth. The six-part series details Gabriel's life from birth to his heartbreaking death. 1. [23], Pearl Fernandez pled guilty on February 15, 2018, to her charge as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. No one can imagine how much this child suffered. "Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes" (Netflix). After Fernandez missed thirteen days of school, he returned and his teacher noticed his condition had worsened. Also Read: Several Chinese Exhibitors Will Not Attend CinemaCon Due to Coronavirus. Days before he was murdered, he wrote a card to his mom telling her all the things he loved about her. It is six-part crime documentary that premiered on Netflix. Gabriel Daniel Fernandez[1] was born on February 20, 2005, to Arnold Contreras and Pearl Fernandez. Click through the gallery to find your next binge-worthy doc. Likely, he had two siblings named Ezequiel and Virginia. It was gut-wrenching, to say the least, he says of the trial. She has four children with Arnold Contreras, including Gabriel. Gabriel Fernandez suffered a combination of physical and emotional abuse. Man who tortured, killed Gabriel Fernandez among death row inmates who got COVID-19 jobless benefits from California by: Los Angeles Times. Between 2005 and 2012, sixty complaints were filed against Pearl Fernandez and Aguirre to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Trending; . When his dead body found it was all swollen and there were burn marks on his body. He passed away two days later on May 24, 2013, at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Only to get maintance money.??? Moreover, he gained fame after his death due to abuse and torture from his mother and his mother's lover. I wish Gabriel was alive. Brian Knappenberger directs the docu-series, which launched Wednesday on Netflix. Why didnt all these people from welfare, social worker teachers saw that there were something wrong? The unprecedented charges held significant consequences, including up to eleven years in prison. On May 22, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was not breathing so his mother called the police to report her child. Once he even ran away from his home but got brought back. He was just a family member so he had no estimated net worth. And when they did, according to family members, they threatened Gabriel, and told him that if he kept lying about his bruises, that hed be the one to go to jail. A court order was placed to have him removed from his home. Gabriel Fernandez had dark brown eyes and while he was at the time of death he was 4 feet 1 inch tall. Here Are 14 Other True-Crime Docs You Should Watch (Photos). At the sentencing hearing, Pearl Fernandez apologized, saying she wishes Gabriel was still alive and that she hopes her kids can forgive her one day. Read Also: Who is Singer Duffy? 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. (KTLA Pool) The cruel nightmare ultimately ended when his mother and her boyfriend beat him to death. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a six-part crime documentary that premiered on Netflix in 2020. He would show up to school with bruises all over his face, as well as fresh cigarette burns and shaved hair. How old is Gabriel Fernandez? Moreover, he gained fame after his death due to abuse and torture from his mother and his mothers lover. Also Read: Finished 'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez'? Shortly after starting there, her teacher, Jennifer Garcia, felt that things were not right at home. 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. Clinical psychologist Deborah S. Miora stated that Fernandez is "virtually unable to use thoughts to guide her behavior and control her emotional reactions. Through interviews with members of Gabriels family, courtroom testimony, and insight from experts on psychology and family relationships, documentarian Brian Knappenberger attempts to answer some key questions: What, exactly, happened to Gabriel, and why didnt anyone step in to save him? See the 9 most shocking details about the case below. Pearl Fernandez has a boyfriend named Isauro Aguirre. And why didnt they have done anything. Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 40, was sentenced to . This short series is based on Gabriel Fernandez and the torture that he suffered. In Gabriels case, the four case workers who were supposed to look out for him faced criminal charges after they were fired a rare turn of events for caseworkers, who are not typically charged for failing to prevent abuse. Moreover, he is also known to be the son of Pearl Fernandez and Arnold Contreras. Then, in 2012, Pearl Fernandez was granted child custody of Gabriel in order to get welfare benefits, according to . After joining his mother and Aguirre, Gabriel landed at a new school. [28] The first call came in from his teacher (Jennifer Garcia). I feel so bad for him because he was only 8yrs old why did he have to pass away I wish he was still alive if he was my son I would never do that to him even if I didnt want him I would never do that and I would never hate my kid even if I did I would never torture him I hate pearl Fernandez and the boyfriend, i just watched his show on Netflix it broke my heart and i feel so bad he was an innocent child he did nothing wrong and his mom went thru sum thing so bad and them does that to her youngest child is just sickening bc this happens all the time and he isnt the only kid and stuff barely change and the fact that rn im at home safe and love while other kids are dying and get mentaly and physicly abused really hurts me that soooo many people could have helped him could have saved him the fact that he could still be alive hurts soo much that people who could have saved him didnt and thats the world we are living in it makes no sense how a mother could even do that to her on son i just hope his REAL family that actually cared about him move on and that Gabriel rest in piece up in heaven where i know he is. However, they did not receive enough information but provided the family with further resources. Fernandez's great-aunt, Elizabeth Carranza, and her husband called social services three times and talked to sheriffs twice regarding the welfare of Fernandez. . DCFS never followed through, and the boy died under suspicious circumstances.. The event in . PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Aguirre had a doubt that the child was gay and which is why both of them used to torture him. And as detailed in Netflix's documentary "The Trials of Gabriel. ", Isauro Aguirre pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture, and the case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami and Deputy District Attorney Scott Yang. 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 . Aguirre was sentenced to death in 2018 following a conviction for first-degree murder with the special circumstance of intentional murder by torture in Gabriels death. But even worse, the Department of Child and Family Services and law enforcement were called to the scene multiple times before Gabriels death and no action was taken. 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.