In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse. It is not any easier," Contreras said. Contreras received support he never imagined. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies. In 2009 he moved in with his grandparents; his grandfather deciding that Gabriel should not be brought up by two gay men. 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. 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. Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. 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. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. 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. 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. In Spanish, he can be heard saying: "They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. 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.. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). Unfortunately, they were his last eight months. 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.. Gavin Newsom, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". "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. Carranza's death meant he never saw justice for the little boy he loved so much. It is not any easier," Contreras said. I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. He lived with them for about four years, until his grandparents objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Contreras said Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he said evidence backs him up. 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. Fernandez's parents, Robert and Sandra, helped raise the child as well, looking after him between 2005 and 2012. Gabriel Fernandez, eight, died in Los Angeles at the hand of his mother and stepdad after social workers allegedly failed to act Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. Are Janelle, Christine and Meri Suing Kody Over Money From Coyote Pass? Martinez, who was featured in the documentary, explained, She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. Send it to us! "Children are still getting killed. 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. 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. Eventually, Pearl took Gabriel from his grandparents eight months before his death on May 24, 2013. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 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. Car loads.". [EXPLAINER]Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? 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. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. Netflixs documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explained to true crime viewers that Carranza was the one raising Fernandez from birth. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Your guess is just as good as mine. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. All Rights Reserved. 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 . [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. But they didn't," said Carranza. 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. Fernandez left the hospital the day her youngest son was born, The Cinemaholic reveals. 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). Not having my family here too, you know, being gayI was petrified too because I was leaving Michael and Gabriel behind but now I don't feel like I'm alone here. "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. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? 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. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. 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.". 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. A new voice joined the outcry. Elizabeth Carranza says she contacted both the cops and social workers multiple times, worrying about Gabriel's safety. "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. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, David Martinez in "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. "It's all those emotions are there. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. 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.". Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it.. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles about the boy. And what did they do? But there's speculation that the note found was part of an unimaginably despicable plan to kill Gabriel and get away with it. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. "It's. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. 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. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. 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. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. By the grace of a higher power, he convinced Pearl to . They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. David currently resides in San Salvador, where he was interviewed for the docuseries. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. But despite the grandparents' plea, the defenceless boy was ultimately allowed to stay with Pearl and Isauro after they took him. 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.". Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. 1M views 2 years ago It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. ", Love Island fans' horror as axed Olivia handed power to destroy TWO other stars, Frogmore eviction shows King's drawn a line with Harry, Strictly star bags life-changing EastEnders role as part of new family, Baby's body found after huge search as cops quiz Constance Marten & lover, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. You need to care.". Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". But they didn't," said Carranza. We were not that type of parents. 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. View our online Press Pack. I mean every part of his body there was something.". Gabriel's mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder in the boy's death, with Pearl now serving a life sentence and Aguirre being held on death row after a jury found the boy suffered unprecedented abuse at the hands of his guardians who had custody of Gabriel for less than a year. 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. But two people - his great uncle and his partner - did care for him. But Contreras says a door opened recently. Pearl Fernandez gave . Children are still getting murdered. Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. His cause of death is not known. But Prosecutor Jon Hatami believed Pearl took Gabriel into her custody so she could claim more welfare benefits. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. He was declared brain dead and taken off life support two days later. "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. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. In the early years of his life he lived with his Great Uncle but why did this change? The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. Something went wrong, please try again later. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. 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. We want to hear from you. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. 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? His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Martinez says of the claims: "The allegations were false, we never sexually abused Gabriel at all. All rights reserved. "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. A position rejected by Hatami. She contemplated abortion on several occasions and would have gone through with it had her uncle had not convinced her to have the baby. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 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.