Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing, Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural, Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death, Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty. In the docuseries, David said that Pearl told Michael to "come and get his kid" because he was crying and getting on her nerves. RELATED: Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. "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. Here are some of the mysteries about Gabriel's tragic story which still haven't been resolved. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. One way or another," Contreras said. Mourners have had questions. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. Pearl Fernandez gave . The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.". But Contreras says a door opened recently. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." 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). Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. I remember his throat just looked like somebody had burned him, bruising and cuts all over his face, black eyes He had like a weird cut above his penis, he had abrasions on the top of his foot like hed been dragged. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasnt the right person to raise him. Car loads.". 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. Sadly Michael died in 2014, just 16 months after Gabriel. "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. He was my baby. But they didn't," said Carranza. In The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Pearl claimed to her parents she took Gabriel into her care as she wanted to bond with her son. 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. Pearl Fernandez gave birth to Gabriel on February 21 2005, but within days had given him up to her uncle, Michael Lemos Carranza, and his partner, David Martinez. She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. 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. [FACT CHECK]Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? 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.". Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. "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 the first four years of his life, Gabriel lived with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez after Pearl gave the child away. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. Young Gabriel Fernandez. Car loads.". However, this is a charge Martinez strenuously denies in the Netflix documentary, claiming that the investigation came out of the family's fears that Gabriel was gay. "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. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. Aguirre was sentenced to death. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. This is despite LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey previously telling NBC Los Angeles she stood by the charges, stating: There ought to be some criminal consequences.. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. A new voice joined the outcry. While 19-stone security guard Isauro was known to have beaten four stone Gabriel unconscious, Pearl's relatives suspect she was really the boss when it came to some of the most horrific torture. Carranza's death meant he never saw justice for the little boy he loved so much. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". It is not any easier," Contreras said. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. Why No One Saved Gabriel Fernandez. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? Monster mum Pearl and her partner Isauro, who was also known as "Tony", were both convicted for the horrors they inflicted on Gabriel. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. Robert keeps on saying, 'ah, because he says that he loves you guys, you two fa*****'". Gabriel with his grandparents, Sandra and Robert Fernandez, before he was made to live with his murderous mum Credit: Netflix When Gabriel was born, drug addict Pearl gave him away to be raised by . 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. Aguirre was sentenced to death. And having never tried to care for him before, why was she showing concern about his mental welfare now? The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. 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. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. R.I.P MICHAEL LEMOS CARRANZA.. 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. On September 13, 2018, a Los Angeles County judge denied a motion to dismiss felony child abuse and falsification of records charges against four former child welfare caseworkers in the 2013 death of eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. "As far as Canada, they come. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. [EXPLAINER]Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. In the doc, he says, "ICE got hold of me. We were not allowed to see him, Martinez explained in the doc. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. 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. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. Gabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. Why are you guys saying that?' 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. For him, it's personal. One way or another," Contreras said. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. My Research and Language Selection Sign into My Research Create My Research Account English; Help and support. 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. 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. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. 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. [INSIGHT]. But Gov. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. "Children are still getting killed. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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.. "It's. Car loads.". PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Have a tip? Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7, Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing, Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies, Slain SoCal boy had BB lodged in his groin area, nurse testifies, Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. But Contreras says a door opened recently. "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. I will love him until I die. DON'T MISSGabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? Netflix's The Trial of Gabriel Fernandez has horrified viewers with the cruelty inflicted on the eight-year-old by his mother and her boyfriend. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. Netflix's hit true crime show The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez mostly takes place in and around Palmdale, California, where the torture and brutal murder of the 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez took place. "A lot of the family wants to blame just Tony," says Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's great-aunt. The. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? 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. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? They claimed to have never found strong enough signs of abuse in order to remove Gabriel from the house. We were not that type of parents. Living in a household gripped by fear. ", In Martinez's account, he and Carranza had to give Gabriel up due to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. In The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Martinez says of this, "We were close with Pearl and she didn't want it [baby Gabriel] and the family didn't want her to have him. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's going to affect them the rest of their lives. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. 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. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. 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. All rights reserved. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Gabriel Fernandez was eight years old when he died, Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Gabriel Fernandez: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents? Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. 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 . 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. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming now on Netflix. Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. Support Center Find answers to questions about products, access, use, setup, and administration. We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it., The couple raised the little boy until he was 4 years old. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. You need to care.". Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". All rights reserved. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. A position rejected by Hatami. 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. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. 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