"[13], Currently, Fernandez is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture at Central California Women's Facility. Unsure of what would happen, Kiyomura entered the courtroom with a sickening feeling.. Later, his mother was sentenced to life imprisonment whereas Isauro was sentenced to death. In fact, law enforcement often (there were multiple house calls) took Pearl Fernandezs word that everything was fine, and never even asked to see Gabriel. To some degree, its warranted, he says. According to Elizabeth (sister of Isauro Aguirre), Pearl is mentally not well and she changed her brother and made him violent just like her. Kevin Bom, Patricia Clement, Gregory Merritt, Stefanie Rodriguez: This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 00:08. The recent Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fern. Heading towards relationship status, he was a kid so he was not involved in the relationship. However, there was a lot of blood and lacerations to the head that caused investigators to look into a possible homicide. Find out about this case in Gabriel Fernandez's wiki. When he was arrested after robbing the bank, the bomb went off and killed Wells. After being hit with the metal buckle side of a belt, he asked his teacher, Jennifer Garcia, if it's "normal to bleed." The social workers were accused of minimizing the evidence that Gabriel was abused and of falsely reporting that safety programs for Gabriel were working, when the abuse was only worsening, the documentary shows. The child has suffered all of his life and was tortured to death by none other than, his mother Pearl Fernandez. The Series which is released on Netflix has all the details that how much the child suffered before death. [27], The social workers were accused of neglecting Fernandez and falsifying public records. By all accounts, based on interviews in the series and news reports following his death, Gabriel was like most kids a sweet child who liked to be helpful and sought the love of his family. Unsurprisingly, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Gabriels mother and her boyfriend. Investigators believe that there have been more than 150 cases where children have been abused even after it was brought to DCFS attention. At one point social workers even ordered Gabriel to stop lying, allowing his abusers to continue the torture until the horrific end. In making The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Knappenberger says he wanted to explore all the factors that contributed to Gabriels death. Check out Evil Genius, I Love You, Now Die and The Murder of Laci Peterson on streamers. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Lomeli, who presided over the murder trial, said at a hearing Tuesday that he reviewed the petition and concluded Fernandez was not entitled to resentencing relief., It has been established by her own admission during her guilty plea that the murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture over a period of several months, Lomeli said, adding that the record supports the theory that Fernandez was a major participant in the murder of a child victim.. Gabriels Murderers Punished, but Social Workers Let Off. Moreover, he is also known to be the son of Pearl Fernandez and Arnold Contreras. Morbidology Podcast The article continues below Morbidology is a weekly true crime podcast created and hosted by Emily G. Thompson. Scott Peterson was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death by hanging. No help from others, left alone, you all out there who saw, knew that something went totally wrong, have to live for your lifetime with your guilt. [citation needed] However, his execution has yet to be set in accordance with the moratorium on capital punishment issued by California governor Gavin Newsom. It doesnt matter how long ago the crime happened. The accusation against the social workers was for falsification of public documents to try to erase their responsibility and negligence that led to the death of the child who lived in the community of Palmdale, in northern Los Angeles County. They continued to raise Fernandez for four years. Gabriel endured ongoing abuse and torture from his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, leading to his death. [6] Aguirre explained to them that Fernandez was "gay". [5], Throughout his eight-month stay in the household of Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre, Gabriel Fernandez was systematically abused and tortured. The severe abuse was immediately obvious to first responders. It also brings into the light the weakness of law and order in the USA where a child got tortured to death by his own mother. Prosecutor Jon Hatami called Aguirre "pure evil" and argued that he deserved the death penalty even though it "doesn't even compare to what he did to Gabriel. In mid-2018 another child died in a similar manner. The ordeal ended with rape, arson and a triple homicide. But they also brought charges against four social workers, something that had never happened before. According to Gorin, most murder convictions, which represent a relatively small number of cases in Los Angeles criminal courts, are secured with theories for criminal culpability that are not covered by the statute for release. Clinical psychologist Deborah S. Miora stated that Fernandez is "virtually unable to use thoughts to guide her behavior and control her emotional reactions. 15 Year Old TikTok Star #20. In the end, he died from this torture, and his older . However, prosecutors decided that it was more of a motive, and could get a bigger sentence charging the couple with child abuse. Gabriel Fernandez was only 8 years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. Questionnaires were given to prospective jurors, and they were informed that the trial could last as long as six weeks. Gabriel Fernandez is 4 ft 0 in tall in height and his weight is 32 kg. The child has 2 siblings named Ezequiel and Virginia. The responses started right away. Even worse, the abuse was no secret. As the documentary describes it, Gabriel lived with an uncle and his partner for a while, and also lived with his grandparents before moving to live with his mother. Her Biography, Family, Affairs, Height, Weight & Wiki Page. [8], On May 22, 2013, Pearl Fernandez called 9-1-1 to report that her child, Gabriel Fernandez, was not breathing. 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. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez Limited Series Release year: 2020 A boy's brutal murder and the public trials of his guardians and social workers prompt questions about the system's protection of vulnerable children. Cause of death On May 22, 2013, Gabriel Fernandez was not breathing so his mother called the police to report her child. ", "Where is Pearl Fernandez Now? Prior to moving in with his mother, Pearl Fernandez, her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, and two siblings in Palmdale, located north of Los Angeles, Gabriel was shuffled between the homes of his relatives. They used to keep him starve. Gabriel Fernandez had dark brown eyes and while he was at the time of death he was 4 feet 1 inch tall. The mother of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez and her boyfriend . "They can . Knappenberger acknowledges that The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez plays into the phenomenon, though he says hes taking a slightly different approach to really look at systemic problems, and take the story beyond the facts of the tragic case at its core. Gabriel started coming into school with worse injuries, including scabs on his scalp and bruises on his face from BB gun pellets. However, there was so much blood, that she soon ran out of the color and had to switch to yellow stickers. Cherie Kiyomura, a family friend who helped organize a rally that attracted dozens outside the courtroom, said shes endured an emotional roller coaster. This Netflix true-crime doc looks into Henry Lee Lucas, known as one of America's most prolific serial killers, who admitted to hundreds of murders. It also shows how the legal system failed to save the life of a vulnerable child. His nationality is American and holds Caucasian ethnicity. At the center of the series is Gabriel Fernandez, an eight-year-old boy who died in May 2013 after being severely abused and tortured by his mother and her boyfriend, both of whom were arrested and convicted for his death. Heartbreaking! [27] Calls regarding child abuse concerns began to occur between the years of 2012 and 2013. What happened to him? [6] According to Fernandez's siblings, while Fernandez was being abused, his mother and stepfather would laugh. 4. Mother's Bid for Re-Sentencing Denied in Torture-Death of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez Gabriel Fernandez was killed in May 2013, after months of torture by his mother and her boyfriend, both of . DCFS never followed through, and the boy died under suspicious circumstances.. He was single. Aguirre had a doubt that the child was gay and which is why both of them used to torture him. She has four children with Arnold Contreras, including Gabriel. Directed by Joe Berlinger, the "Ted Bundy Tapes" looks at one of the most infamous killers, using previously unseen footage and unheard tape recordings from Bundy himself. He died at the age of eight years old, and the official autopsy declared he died of blunt force trauma that coincided with neglect and malnutrition. Ryan White's documentary series debuted in 2017 and explores the murder of Sister Catherine Cesnik, who disappeared in November 1969 and whose body was discovered in January of 1970. [29] Garcia continued to call the child welfare hotline and was told each time that a social worker would check in on Fernandez. first case involved a young girl who was repeatedly raped by her mother's boyfriend and eventually became pregnant at age 13. Gabriel Fernandez was a dog lover and had a baby Chihuahua. Additionally, this case reinforces that close people often abuse children, such as caretakers and parents. As the school year went on, the abuse Gabriel endured worsened. Its clear that, despite the existence of government agencies whose mission is to protect all children, Gabriels case fell through some gaping cracks. Following Gabriels story brought to light for Knappenberger the host of challenges faced by child protective services, including overloaded caseworkers managing in a larger system that also brought in third-party companies and outside contractors to provide government services for a profit. (KTLA Pool) Not only had the young boy been viciously killed by his own mother, Pearl Fernandez, and his mother's boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, but he had also been tortured by the couple for eight months leading up to his brutal death. [24], In September 2017, jury selection began for the case. Moreover, not only Gabriel they even raised all three of Pearl's kids, but in 2009 Ezequiel and Virginia went to live with Pearl and Gabriel stayed with them, until 2012. This documentary examines the 2011 murder of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips and the subsequent trial of soccer coach and ex-boyfriend of Garrett's mother, Tandy Cyrus. Lila Seidman is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health. Magazines, Capture a Year of Painand Resiliencein Ukraine, Or create a free account to access more articles, The Heartbreaking Story Behind Netflix's Documentary Series. On another day, Fernandez came to class with chunks of hair missing and a lump on his lip. A lot of people failed him, and theres a lot of reasons that this happened. Spread throughout six parts, the series has been gut-wrenching at times. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a thorough and heartbreaking examination of the systemic forces that allow child abuse to flourish undetected in the United States. The reason for his death was his mother and his mothers lover had beaten the kid because he failed to clean up his toys. Walking out of there, with finally some justice for Gabriel, was the best feeling that weve had in such a long time, she said. [23], Pearl Fernandez pled guilty on February 15, 2018, to her charge as part of a plea deal to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. If he had wanted to kill Gabriel, he wouldve done it a long time ago. During the court hearings against the defendants some of the most shameful and brutal facts revealed regarding how a boy was the victim of a horrific list of physical abuse, in addition to being forced to eat his own vomit. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel Fernandez often wrote notes to his mother, saying he would kill himself and that he just wants to be a good boy. Pearl murdered her 8-year-old son named Gabriel Fernandez. Trending; . Gabriel Fernandez was plainly single at the tender age of eight. She was also a victim of gang rape and rape by an uncle at an early age. Some Lesser Known Facts about Gabriel Fernandez, Who is Singer Duffy? Gabriel also claimed that he had been shot in the face with a BB gun. The series debuts at a high point of popularity for true crime stories, which have found large audiences through podcasts, books, and now, an influx of documentaries on streaming services. Gabriel's parents are Pearl Fernandez and Arnold Contreras. The California boy died . But thats not the end of the story. [29], Jennifer Garcia's concern started when Fernandez first asked her concerning questions regarding being whipped. In California, Ezequiel Fernandez took birth in the year 2003 (age 16 years old, as in 2019). But where was the love for her child. The boy Gabriel Fernandez was just 8 years old when he found dead on 24th May 24 2013 due to inflicted injuries he suffered when he was tortured, including a fractured skull, broken ribs and cigarette burns all over his body. Days before he was murdered, he wrote a card to his mom telling her all the things he loved about her. The boy Gabriel Fernandez was just 8 years old when he found dead on 24th May 24 2013 due to inflicted injuries he suffered when he was tortured, including a fractured skull, broken ribs and cigarette burns all over his body. Also Read: Journalist Behind Netflix's 'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez' on 'Trauma' of Reporting on Child's Murder. The main reason for the death of Gabriel Fernandez is starvation. Gabriel died from blunt force trauma and child abuse over a long period, Hatami said, citing the medical examiners report. His bodyweight was of 25Kg. [19] He was admitted to San Quentin State Prison on June 13, 2018, awaiting execution. Gabriel died on May 24, 2013, after having suffered years of abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, also known as Tony Aguirre, was born on June 13, 1980. Gabriel Fernandez was born on February 20, 2005, in Palmdale, California. She along with her boyfriend named Isauro Aguirre tortured him day and night which killed the innocent child. [21], On May 23, 2013, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were arrested; Fernandez was arrested for felony child endangerment while Aguirre was arrested for attempted murder. Directed by Brian Knappenberger, the documentary details the murder of Gabriel Fernandez and subsequent responses by the media and local government. Garcia reported the exchange to the Los Angeles County child abuse hotline and the case ended up with a social worker, Stefanie Rodriguez. Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were charged and convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture. The cruel nightmare ultimately ended when his mother and her boyfriend beat him to death. Aguirre was charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture for murdering Gabriel Fernandez. Likewise, forced to eat his vomit, which burned in various parts of his body. Similarly, Gabriel had two siblings, Ezequiel and Virginia. While he was in the household of Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre for six months, Gabriel was systematically abused and tortured. Gabriel Fernandez was born on February 20, 2005, and he was only eight years old when she died on May 24, 2013. Her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre also got penalized for a death-sentenced as he was also actively involved in torturing the child. Pearl Fernandez Wiki [Gabriel Fernandez's Mother] Age, Biography, Family. According to the documentary, Rodriguez never adequately made the inquiries needed to determine the condition of Gabriels home life. As part of her February 2018 plea, Fernandez gave up her right to appeal. ", "CDRC Inmate Locator - Inmate Information - AGUIRRE, ISAURO", "Gabriel Fernandez's mother sentenced to life in prison, boyfriend gets death penalty in Palmdale boy's torture-beating murder", "Jury Recommends Death Sentence for Isauro Aguirre for Murder of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez", "Jury selection begins in trial over local boy's death", "Mother's boyfriend found guilty in systematic torture, murder of 8-year-old boy", "Charges Dismissed against Social Workers Linked to Gabriel Fernandez's Killing", "The gabriel fernandez case: comparative analysis of 'mandated reporter' in light of the children's act", "Review: netflix's the trials of gabriel fernandez", "Gabriel Fernandez's Social Workers Have Another Court Date Coming Up", "L.A. sheriff's deputies disciplined after horrific torture death of 8-year-old boy", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Gabriel_Fernandez&oldid=1139607004, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre. 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