"What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. 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. 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. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. During the last eight months of his life, Gabriel was the victim of child abuse which e -------------------------------------------------------------------------Please Click SubscribeTV News, Previews, Spoilers, Casting Scoop, Interviews, Television News, Ratings, TV Show Reviews, TV - News, Pictures, Videos, Entertainment, #GabrielFernandezWhy, #GabrielFernandez, #leave, #GreatUncle, #care#Netflix They claimed that Gabriel Fernandez was tortured, forced to eat cat Litter and his own vomit. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. But Gov. I will love him until I die.". The social workers were there. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". We convinced herto give him to uswe picked Gabriel up from the hospital when he was three days old. We want to hear from you. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. 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 . "Children are still getting killed. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. 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. Before Gabriel Fernandez returned to his mother Pearl Fernandez, he was brought up by his Great uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his grandparents. In Spanish, he can be heard saying: "They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. But Contreras says a door opened recently. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. All rights reserved. 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. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming now on Netflix. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. In the docuseries, David said that Pearl told Michael to "come and get his kid" because he was crying and getting on her nerves. All rights reserved. ; Contact Us Have a question, idea, or some feedback? "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. 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. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. The power for change, Hatami said, is reflected in a growing memorial. But despite the grandparents' plea, the defenceless boy was ultimately allowed to stay with Pearl and Isauro after they took him. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. During the trial of Isauro Aguirre, Robert testified that that one day his daughter took Gabriel and refused to bring him back. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. "Something brings it back in. One way or another," Contreras said. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. 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. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Social worker Stefanie Rodriguez and other representatives of child protection agencies also visited Gabriel's home on a number of occasions. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Isauro Aguirre was given the death penalty for the murder of Gabriel Fernandez. 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.". Just three days after he was born, Gabriel Fernandez was . When he was 3 days old, Pearl sent her son to live with Michael. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. David maintains that this allegation is false, as did some members of Gabriel's family. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriels great-aunt and Michaels sister spoke highly of Michael and David parenting. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. 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. But they didn't," said Carranza. R.I.P MICHAEL LEMOS CARRANZA.. But California's governor, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. 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. "As far as Canada, they come. All Rights Reserved. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). 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. Your guess is just as good as mine. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. The logic was that if Isauro was trying to save the boy's life, he couldn't have intended to kill him, so he wasn't guilty of murder. A three-justice panel stated that there was no probable cause connected to child abuse or falsifying documents in a 2-to-1 opinion. 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. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. Elizabeth Carranza says she contacted both the cops and social workers multiple times, worrying about Gabriel's safety. He actually spent the first four years of his life living with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner, David Martinez. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. Fernandez lived with Robert and Sandra until he was 7, at which point Pearl and Aguirre took him back. One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. 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. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. Living in a household gripped by fear. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." A post on the Gabriels Justice Facebook page from September 2014 reads: It is with a heavy heart and tears, that I inform you.. Today my beloved cousin Michael has passed away today. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? "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. Contreras received support he never imagined. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. ", In Martinez's account, he and Carranza had to give Gabriel up due to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. 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. 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. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. But they didn't," said Carranza. "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. In Netflixs documentary, Michaels partner David Martinez recalls: She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. 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. 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. 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. 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. [INSIGHT]. Netflixs documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explained to true crime viewers that Carranza was the one raising Fernandez from birth. 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. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. 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 Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. But there's speculation that the note found was part of an unimaginably despicable plan to kill Gabriel and get away with it. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. The children testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, and accusations that he was gay. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandez's great-uncle) and his partner, David. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. We were not that type of parents. But they didn't," said Carranza. Gabriel's uncle, Chris Contreras, is breaking his silence. Carranza slammed social services for their failings in a rally held days after Gabriel died. [EXPLAINER]Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? If you knew Pearl, Pearl was never the victim. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? It is not any easier," Contreras said. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. Why are you guys saying that?' It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. 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. "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. David Martinez now lives in San Salvador - capital of El Salvador - after being deported from the US by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). 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. Facebook 8-Year-Old's Big Brother Details the Horrific Abuse He Suffered from Mom's Boyfriend Before His Death The day he was. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. Car loads.". He didnt look like a child," she says. One way or another," Contreras said. Lots of different people unwittingly played a part in allowing one of the worst cases of child torture in American history to unfold. 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. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. A new voice joined the outcry. 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. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Contreras received support he never imagined. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Living in a household gripped by fear. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? 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. 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. 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 will love him until I die. He was declared brain dead and taken off life support two days later. Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. Support Center Find answers to questions about products, access, use, setup, and administration. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. 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? Robert keeps on saying, 'ah, because he says that he loves you guys, you two fa*****'". But when they arrived, Isauro wasn't performing CPR. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. I haven't been here [San Salvador] for 38 years. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. "They put him in the back of the car and told him that if he kept lying about things, that he would be the one to go to jail," Elizabeth said. Said, is reflected in a 2-to-1 opinion and Michaels sister spoke of... Our Privacy Policy around how it got to this day why did gabriel fernandez leave his uncle Contreras Gabriel. A three-justice panel stated that there was no probable cause connected to child abuse or falsifying in. Mother and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, Robert testified that that one his! 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