They wanted to prove he performed CPR as the boy was dying. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Robert keeps on saying, 'ah, because he says that he loves you guys, you two fa*****'". But why would he deny the crime knowing it could lead to him being given a lethal injection? Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? RELATED: Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death. 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. 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. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. 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. 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. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. Your guess is just as good as mine. He'd said he was going to take Gabriel to a barbecue, but they later found out he'd lied. The horrifying murder was detailed in Netflix documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Gabriel Fernandez was just eight years old when he was tortured to death by his mum and her boyfriend, Pearl Fernandez was given life without parole for her part in the crimes - Isauro Aguirro was sentenced to death, Christene Estes wept as she remembered cataloguing little Gabriel's endless list of injuries, When paramedics found Gabriel they thought he had a severe skin disease because there were so many injuries all over his body, Family members think Pearl may have masterminded the more sadistic torture of her son, Gabriel with his grandparents, Sandra and Robert Fernandez, before he was made to live with his murderous mum, Isauro Aguirre was sentenced to death after he pleaded not guilty to murdering Gabriel, Prosecutors at the trial wondered why there was no blood on Isauro when paramedics arrived given the extent of Gabriel's injuries, Social workers Patricia Clement, Stefanie Rodriguez, Gregory Merritt and Kevin Bom were charged with child endangerment resulting in death, One of the suspicious notes Pearl showed counsellor Carmen Le Norgant, Gabriel Fernandez gave Mothers Day card to Pearl days before she and partner tortured him to death, eight-year-old Gabriel had suffered tremendously, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy had BB lodged in his groin area, nurse testifies. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Sadly Michael died in 2014, just 16 months after Gabriel. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. Prosecutor Hatami firstly thought it was suspicious that she showed the note to his in-home counsellor, Carmen Le Norgant, just as she was leaving a visit less than three months before his death. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "When her and Tony would fight, she was the abusive one to him.". Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. Martinez says of the claims: "The allegations were false, we never sexually abused Gabriel at all. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? It is not any easier.". But despite the grandparents' plea, the defenceless boy was ultimately allowed to stay with Pearl and Isauro after they took him. [INSIGHT]. Relatives who loved him and cared for him. For other inquiries, Contact Us. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. Isauro, however, denied the charge, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he's now on death row. 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. Gavin Newsom, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it.. He actually spent the first four years of his life living with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner, David Martinez. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. 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. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. But his grandparents, Robert and Sandra Fernandez, say they always had custody of Gabriel and eventually took him in themselves. 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. 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. Gabriel Fernandez: What happened to prosecutor Jon Hatami? And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. WHEN little Gabriel Fernandez took his last breath in intensive care, his broken body lay covered in injuries worse than any of his doctors had ever seen from his shattered skull to the burns and bruises all over his skin. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. "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. And what did they do? 1M views 2 years ago It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel was repeatedly beaten and tortured by his evil mother and her partner before he died in 2013 - all because they thought he was gay. Living in a household gripped by fear. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. "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. "It's all those emotions are there. "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. 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. "A lot of the family wants to blame just Tony," says Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's great-aunt. A new voice joined the outcry. Fernandez left the hospital the day her youngest son was born, The Cinemaholic reveals. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." In 2018 Gabriel's mother Pearl pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. 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. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? But Contreras said a door opened recently. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. 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. Robert Fernandez's account of this, however, differs. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. Car loads.". Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. She steered the conversation back to Gabriel's academics. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. In 2009 he moved in with his grandparents; his grandfather deciding that Gabriel should not be brought up by two gay men. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. 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 . His memory has generated positive steps to save children. See the 'Counting On' Kids' Houses, Look How Much the Little Couple's Kids Will and Zoey Have Grown Up, Every Look From the Kardashian-Jenner Family at the 2021 Met Gala, Gabby Petito's Texts Show 'More and More Tension' With Brian Laundrie, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings, Jon Gosselin Is 'Open' With Kids Collin, Hannah About Their Dating Lives. I don't know what the country's about at all. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. David also revealed Pearl apparently told Michael to come and get his kid because he was getting on her nerves, at just three-days-old. 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. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. "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. 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. "As far as Canada, they come. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? 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. 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. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. Gabri The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.". Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. 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. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. 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. Aguirre was sentenced to death. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. He said: She [Pearl] didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. Martinez said in the doc: "He stayed with us for almost four years, until Grandpa Robert said that two gay guys shouldn't be raising a kid. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. They claimed that Gabriel Fernandez was tortured, forced to eat cat Litter and his own vomit. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. 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. 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? And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. The. 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. But they didn't," said Carranza. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Fernandez's parents, Robert and Sandra, helped raise the child as well, looking after him between 2005 and 2012. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. We were not allowed to see him, Martinez explained in the doc. 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. One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. One way or another," Contreras said. 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. "They can . 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 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. When we got to the hospital the day before, he was still alive, and he was going to talk to me. Instead, they never got the chance. All Rights Reserved. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. But things could have been so different for Gabriel if hed been allowed to continue living with other relatives. 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. His cause of death is not known. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? 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. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. "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. 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