Young Gabriel Fernandez. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. 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". Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "Something brings it back in. Elizabeth Carranza says she contacted both the cops and social workers multiple times, worrying about Gabriel's safety. 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. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "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. "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. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. 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. I don't know what the country's about at all. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. 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. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. 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. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. She steered the conversation back to Gabriel's academics. 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.. He lived with them for about four years, until his grandparents objected to him being cared for by two gay men. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. 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. One way or another," Contreras said. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. RELATED: Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing. My Research and Language Selection Sign into My Research Create My Research Account English; Help and support. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. But Prosecutor Jon Hatami believed Pearl took Gabriel into her custody so she could claim more welfare benefits. She will never be released from prison. 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? Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. The children testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, and accusations that he was gay. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. "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. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," added Contreras. [INSIGHT]. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. I will love him until I die.". 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. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 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. It is not any easier.". "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. "As far as Canada, they come. According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. 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. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. Contreras received support he never imagined. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. Why No One Saved Gabriel Fernandez. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The recent Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez". And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "It's all those emotions are there. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. We want to hear from you. All rights reserved. ", In Martinez's account, he and Carranza had to give Gabriel up due to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. 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. When he was 3 days old, Pearl sent her son to live with Michael. Following this, Martinez was deported by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) back to his native El Salvador. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. RELATED: Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural. Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? ; Contact Us Have a question, idea, or some feedback? 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. "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. 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. "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. A three-justice panel stated that there was no probable cause connected to child abuse or falsifying documents in a 2-to-1 opinion. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. He told the 911 operator he was following her instructions and performing the chest compressions but witnesses in the case threw doubt that he'd actually given the life-saving treatment. They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's. For him, it's personal. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. 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.. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? Robert Fernandez's account of this, however, differs. 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. 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.". 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. 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. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". I will love him until I die. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. Gabriel Fernandez was eight years old when he died, Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. Car loads.". I had never known pain before, until he passed away. Just three days after he was born, Gabriel Fernandez was . "Something brings it back in," Contreras said. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. 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. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. I confront him, and say 'why did you say that, you didn't want him to be born, you didn't want him when he was born, nobody in the family wanted him.'". He didnt look like a child," she says. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. 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.. Isauro didn't have blood on his hands or anywhere on his body, which was strange given the amount all over Gabriel when paramedics found him. "As far as Canada, they come. 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 Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Relatives who loved him and cared for him. But Gov. Though the uncles confronted Fernandezs grandfather, Martinez says Robert believed that being raised by two gay men was making the little boy gay, so the grandparents decided to raise him themselves. Facebook 8-Year-Old's Big Brother Details the Horrific Abuse He Suffered from Mom's Boyfriend Before His Death The day he was. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. But there's speculation that the note found was part of an unimaginably despicable plan to kill Gabriel and get away with it. Have a tip? "All those workers that came in, and therapists, why did they all believe her over the kid with the marks?". 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 . 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. She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him. 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. Before living with his grandparents and dying under his mother's custody, Gabriel Fernandez resided with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and Michael's partner, David Martinez. 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. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami 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. "I love you so much that I will kill myself", it read. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. All Rights Reserved. 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. There was not a single misstep from the German - and that, at least partly, is why he remains beloved by supporters despite leaving the club in September. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. It's all those emotions are there. Both the cops and social workers ' case not go to trial give Gabriel up due to the press found! Very good with him the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro did, Hatami. 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