Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. "Part of knowing how to do CPR is that you don't stop until the paramedics showed up," said Jon Hatami, the prosecutor in Gabriel's case. 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 . 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. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. 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. "It's all those emotions are there. 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. 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. One of the most heartbreaking facts of his case is that he was then raised in two different loving homes before he was turned back to his sadistic mother. But California's governor, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. But Gov. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. 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 Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming on Netflix now. 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. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. Netflixs documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explained to true crime viewers that Carranza was the one raising Fernandez from birth. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. "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. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. "They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. All rights reserved. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 90 Day Fiance's Hamza's Green Card Status 'Battle' Amid Memphis Divorce, '90 Day Fiance' Star Memphis Smith Alleges Hamza Moknii Was 'Abusive', 90 Day's Hamza Requested Paternity Test for Daughter Amid Memphis Split. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. For him, it's personal. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. 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. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. RELATED: Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, FL Gov. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies. "In her mind," Hatami said of Pearl, "She's thinking that they were gonna get rid of him. Martinez, who was featured in the documentary, explained, She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. Contreras received support he never imagined. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". But Contreras says a door opened recently. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. He lived with them for about four years, until his grandparents objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. The charges, filed in 2016, marked the first time Los Angeles caseworkers . But the question remains whether it was just one of the thugs driving the abuse, or if they were both equally culpable. 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. Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Support Center Find answers to questions about products, access, use, setup, and administration. But when they arrived, Isauro wasn't performing CPR. "It's. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. Michael was 46 years old at the time and his funeral arrangements were made in San . Car loads.". "He was my baby," David said. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. It is not any easier," Contreras said. Gabri However, before he turned 4, the little boy began living with his grandparents Robert and Sandra Fernandez. But Contreras says a door opened recently. The boy's uncle said he and his wife have adopted two of the boy's siblings, telling jurors that the children experience feelings of guilt about what happened to their younger brother. Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? Paramedics had been called out to his house in Los Angeles by his mother Pearl, who claimed over the phone that he had slipped in the bathroom and hit his head. He is now and will forever be with his Gabriel.. May you both be hugging and laughing. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. Pearl Fernandez gave . I will love him until I die. By the grace of a higher power, he convinced Pearl to . The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. All rights reserved. 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.". "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. THE uncle of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, who died after years of abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, has spoken out for the first time since the child's death in 2013. There was no question that eight-year-old Gabriel had suffered tremendously, but there are many unanswered questions as to how his evil parents were able to get away with torturing him for so long. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. 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). After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasnt the right person to raise him. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. "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. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Gabriel Fernandez, eight, died in Los Angeles at the hand of his mother and stepdad after social workers allegedly failed to act, Photos showed burns and bruising to Gabriel's mouth in hospital, Pearl Fernandez and Aguirre showed little emotion in court, Netflix's The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explores tragic reason behind his death, Gabriel Fernandezs uncle reveals how hes still traumatized by boys torture death seven years on, Madison Bell 'chose to disappear to start a new life' as shes found with a person of interest, Coronavirus patients stop being infectious after 11 days even if they still test positive, study finds, Dad charged after severely abused daughter, 7, is found dead in garage, Your second coronavirus stimulus check could have stricter conditions about how to spend $4,000, Trapeze artist, 29, trapped in Spain during lockdown dies after falling and hitting her head during practice, Boris Johnson must get us out of lockdown fast and ram home the dire effects of refusing to do so, Youll only get your coronavirus stimulus money by debit card or check in the mail as IRS stops direct deposits, Husband of train worker who died from coronavirus after thug spat at her says his 'family's lives have been destroyed', This freak 10-week Bank Holiday must end for our economy to resume, he was often locked in a cabinet - nicknamed "the box". 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. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. "They can . And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. 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 . 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? Eventually, Pearl took Gabriel from his grandparents eight months before his death on May 24, 2013. Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? Instead, the little boy was left to suffer and die at the hands of his own caregivers, as the city of Los Angeles turned a blind eye. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. RELATED: Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky. It's all those emotions are there. [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". 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. More info. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. It is not any easier.". Ca n't fight for themselves, '' said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami Netflix about the case of Fernandez... Has been overhauled michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez years, until he passed.! Her mind, '' David said 8 times, is making most of second chance life! Raise him related: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, testifies... The early years of his life, Whose leak is it anyway Aguirre called Gabriel gay and him! 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