PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "Children are still getting killed. For the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. 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. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. 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's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. One of the most heartbreaking facts of his case is that he was then raised in two different loving homes before he was turned back to his sadistic mother. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. They claimed to have never found strong enough signs of abuse in order to remove Gabriel from the house. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. However, this is a charge Martinez strenuously denies in the Netflix documentary, claiming that the investigation came out of the family's fears that Gabriel was gay. 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. I will love him until I die.". PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. All rights reserved. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. "Children are still getting killed. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". In 2018 Gabriel's mother Pearl pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriels great-aunt and Michaels sister spoke highly of Michael and David parenting. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. 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. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. 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. Car loads.". The documentary alleged the couple looked after Gabriel until one day when they said Gabriel had been kidnapped by Isauro. The Most Outrageous True Crime Stories of 2019, 11 True Crime Novels That Every Armchair Detective Will Love, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. "Something brings it back in. Martinez says of the claims: "The allegations were false, we never sexually abused Gabriel at all. Christene Estes, a nurse who treated Gabriel in the hours before his death in May 2013, says the abuse he suffered was worse than anything else she'd ever seen. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming on Netflix now. Speaking in the documentary, David Martinez explained how they came to raise Gabriel in the first place. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. It is not any easier.". He'd said he was going to take Gabriel to a barbecue, but they later found out he'd lied. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. We were not that type of parents. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a full brown reveal of the life and death of an eight. 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. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. 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.". "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. Carranza slammed social services for their failings in a rally held days after Gabriel died. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. Sick mum Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirre beat Gabriel with a belt and burned him with cigarettes, sometimes in front of his siblings. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. It is not any easier," Contreras said. "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. All rights reserved. Here are some of the mysteries about Gabriel's tragic story which still haven't been resolved. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "Something brings it back in," Contreras said. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Living in a household gripped by fear. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered. Why No One Saved Gabriel Fernandez. When emergency services were called to his home in May 2013, he was found with a fractured skull, broken ribs and BB gun bullets in his skin, to name a few of his horrific injuries. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. For him, it's personal. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. 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. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. 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. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. ", 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. They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. Relatives who loved him and cared for him. One way or another," Contreras said. But when they arrived, Isauro wasn't performing CPR. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. Robert Fernandez's account of this, however, differs. "I love you so much that I will kill myself", it read. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. "Something brings it back in. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. "It's all those emotions are there. One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. "In her mind," Hatami said of Pearl, "She's thinking that they were gonna get rid of him. According to Jennifer Garcia, Gabriel showed up to class with signs that something terrible had happened at home, and it didn't take long for him to explain. In 2009 he moved in with his grandparents; his grandfather deciding that Gabriel should not be brought up by two gay men. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Their abuse led to his death in May 2013. In the docuseries, David said that Pearl told Michael to "come and get his kid" because he was crying and getting on her nerves. "Children are still getting killed. "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. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Her theory was that Pearl told authorities that it was bigger boys that were harming her son, not her and her partner. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. But there's speculation that the note found was part of an unimaginably despicable plan to kill Gabriel and get away with it. 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. For other inquiries, Contact Us. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. But California's governor, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. You need to care.". We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise it.. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," added Contreras. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. But Contreras said a door opened recently. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. As seen in the Netflix documentary series, he was kept locked in a cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries. Contreras received support he never imagined. Aguirre was sentenced to death. Carranza's death meant he never saw justice for the little boy he loved so much. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? His memory has generated positive steps to save children. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. Gabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? How safe is your neighborhood? Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. Aguirre was found guilty of the same crime and was given the death penalty. David Martinez now lives in San Salvador - capital of El Salvador - after being deported from the US by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). He saw how it opened minds and hearts. I feel like they are here with me too.". The social workers were there. It's all those emotions are there. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. ; Contact Us Have a question, idea, or some feedback? Fernandez's parents, Robert and Sandra, helped raise the child as well, looking after him between 2005 and 2012. Gabriel Fernandez was eight years old when he died, Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. He said: She [Pearl] didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. 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. Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". The children testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, and accusations that he was gay. 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 We want to hear from you. 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. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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 . As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. 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