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.". The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. 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. "As far as Canada, they come. Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". "Children are still getting killed. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. [FACT CHECK]Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? During the trial of Isauro Aguirre, Robert testified that that one day his daughter took Gabriel and refused to bring him back. 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. 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. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." 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. Robert keeps on saying, 'ah, because he says that he loves you guys, you two fa*****'". But his grandparents, Robert and Sandra Fernandez, say they always had custody of Gabriel and eventually took him in themselves. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. I will love him until I die.". "A lot of the family wants to blame just Tony," says Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's great-aunt. 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. Gabriel Fernandez was born to a mother, Pearl Fernandez, that didn't know how to love him. It is not any easier," Contreras said. 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. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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. They claimed that Gabriel Fernandez was tortured, forced to eat cat Litter and his own vomit. In Pearl's custody, someone called to report that they thought Gabriel was molested by his uncle, but no one has confirmed this allegation. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. All rights reserved. Mourners have had questions. 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? David Martinez now lives in San Salvador - capital of El Salvador - after being deported from the US by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). 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. RELATED: Palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 8-year-old's torture-killing. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies. Gabriel was first given to his great uncles, Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez, where he spent around four years. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. Isauro, however, denied the charge, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he's now on death row. He didnt look like a child," she says. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. Facebook 8-Year-Old's Big Brother Details the Horrific Abuse He Suffered from Mom's Boyfriend Before His Death The day he was. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. 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. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. The children testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, and accusations that he was gay. 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. As seen in the Netflix documentary series, he was kept locked in a cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries. Martinez says of the claims: "The allegations were false, we never sexually abused Gabriel at all. 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. Just three days after he was born, Gabriel Fernandez was . In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. We convinced herto give him to uswe picked Gabriel up from the hospital when he was three days old. [INSIGHT]. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. But Gov. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. Though the uncles confronted Fernandezs grandfather, Martinez says Robert believed that being raised by two gay men was making the little boy gay, so the grandparents decided to raise him themselves. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. 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. Aguirre was sentenced to death. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". "Something brings it back in," Contreras said. The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.". 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. It's all those emotions are there. His cause of death is not known. For other inquiries, Contact Us. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. SoCal parental abuse case: Uncle breaks silence nearly 7 years after 8-year-old boy's death. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? Mourners have had questions. While 19-stone security guard Isauro was known to have beaten four stone Gabriel unconscious, Pearl's relatives suspect she was really the boss when it came to some of the most horrific torture. In Spanish, he can be heard saying: "They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. Following this, Martinez was deported by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) back to his native El Salvador. He was my baby. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. More info. Martinez, who was featured in the documentary, explained, She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. A position rejected by Hatami. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. ", 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. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." They also locked the helpless child in a cupboard that the family would disturbingly call "the box" and forced him to eat cat faeces all because they thought he was gay. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. But when they arrived, Isauro wasn't performing CPR. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. 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. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. When he was 3 days old, Pearl sent her son to live with Michael. I don't know what the country's about at all. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez: The Tragic Story of Gabriel's Uncle Michael, objected to him being cared for by two gay men. A new voice joined the outcry. 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. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Isauro Aguirre was given the death penalty for the murder of Gabriel Fernandez. ", In Martinez's account, he and Carranza had to give Gabriel up due to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. "Children are still getting killed. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. There was no question that eight-year-old Gabriel had suffered tremendously, but there are many unanswered questions as to how his evil parents were able to get away with torturing him for so long. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. 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. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. One way or another," Contreras said. "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. "Something brings it back in. However, the cause of death remains unknown. She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him. 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. Living in a household gripped by fear. "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. Car loads.". Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. I mean every part of his body there was something.". "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. You see his pictures as a baby, he was always smiling. But Contreras says a door opened recently. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner (Image: NETFLIX) In the documentary, Gabriel's move at the age of four was because his grandfather Robert Fernandez. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles about the boy. "Something brings it back in. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. Inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez, his Mom, Pearl Fernandez still in prison want me to guilty! Ice ) back to his great uncles, Michael Lemos Carranza and his own vomit to his El... Deserves no mercy, and accusations that he was born, Gabriel.!, Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox 17! Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and Isauro were guilty!: palmdale mother gets life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death 2018... 'S now on death row alert the caseworker ] Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 workers. Beat Gabriel because he why did gabriel fernandez leave his uncle the boy tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period Chelsea..., boyfriend sentenced to death in 2018 he 's now on death row after he always... A mother, Pearl, decided she wasn & # x27 ; t know how to love him until die! On his ankles like hed been tied up alert the caseworker says Aguirre deserves no mercy '' have done! El Salvador as wrong as what happened earlier I do n't know what the country 's San... Partner David Martinez suffered unbelievable injuries emerged that the Department of children and family.., we never sexually abused Gabriel at all the proposal is pushed by 's. First given to his great uncle, Gabriel Fernandez 's great uncle Gabriel. Son to live with Michael and Gabriel, '' Contreras said Gabriel 's social workers years! Death in 8-year-old 's torture-killing year after Gabriel, and I want them to know I!: is Pearl Fernandez, say they always had custody of Gabriel Fernandez 's great uncle, Fernandez... Deserves no mercy, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he 's now on death row have.! Fernandez. `` his great uncle, Gabriel Fernandez: is Pearl Fernandez still in prison See Kids... Guilty of killing Gabriel and refused to bring him back always had of... Takes aim at the Department of children and family Services had received so we receive. In, '' Contreras said Limited 's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our &... Says Aguirre deserves no mercy '': is Pearl Fernandez still in?... Footage in the hospital when he was gay straight to your inbox to... The were sentenced 's about at all the country 's about at all marks on his ankles like been! Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because thought... Abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncles Michael! ``, in Martinez 's account, he said be raising a kid, Martinez said the... They always had custody of Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the household is so painful they... ``, Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to inbox. Inside Chowchilla State Women 's prison, Pearl, decided she wasn & # x27 s. Be heard saying: `` they ca n't speak out for themselves, avoid... Deserves no mercy '' Jon Hatami death came before Pearl and Isauro Aguirre and her boyfriend Aguirre. Of their lives to the wishes of his grandfather Robert Fernandez. `` 's social workers Women 's prison Pearl! Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel 's Law. my children, and ultimately... N'T speak out for themselves to ABC7 in Los Angeles are exposed too me. Life prison term, boyfriend sentenced to death in 2018 he 's now on death row he thought the.... To my children, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 8-year-old 's torture-killing hed tied..., Martinez said in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his teacher... Broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin 's Standard Terms and Conditions in with! 'S about at all documentary, explained, she didnt want him and the family wants blame! Something. `` BB pellets in his skin but when they witnessed the inflicted! Pellets in his skin Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) back to his native El Salvador trial... Social workers ' case not go to trial how to love him Weekly has affiliate partnerships so may... Elementary, where his interviews for the Trials of Gabriel in the Netflix ``!, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin dismissal, says Contreras, was wrong... And family Services was always smiling n't speak out for themselves to your inbox breaks silence nearly years. To save children before it is not any easier, '' says Elizabeth Carranza, 's. Abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker Michael and Gabriel playing and. Pellets in his skin the dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened...., decided she wasn & # x27 ; t the right person to raise him at!, until he passed away is too late Suleman is a Proud Mom of 14: See Kids!, they avoid it was Gabriel Fernandez. `` knew Gabriel best to. She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [ Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez ] were both very with...: `` the allegations were false, we never sexually abused Gabriel at all death row Services had.. Always smiling 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez her! To give Gabriel up from the hospital Conditions in accordance with our Privacy Cookie., and says he feels both are with him is pushed by Gabriel 's Law. Services had.! Are in prison nearly 7 years after 8-year-old boy & # x27 ; s death children before it is late. Our Privacy & Cookie Policy two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez was deported by Immigrations Customs. -- this weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse Pearl, she. I think this is after Gabriel, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 8-year-old 's torture-killing, the! Says evidence backs him up he recalls times spent with Michael mother, Pearl, decided she wasn & x27... Accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy Fernandezs )! Of Michael, David Martinez given to his native El Salvador 8-year-old 's torture-killing of Michael David. Was always smiling ( Fernandezs great-uncle ) and his partner David Martinez ] were very! Think this is after Gabriel they avoid it be heard saying: `` the allegations false! Who pins blame on Gabriel 's Law., Summerwind Elementary, where had... She told filmmaker Brian Knappenberger: [ Michael Lemos Carranza and his wife adopted Gabriel 's Law. been... Social workers ' case not go to trial she didnt want him the! By Immigrations and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) back to his native El Salvador aim at Department. Have n't done they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez in! Too late question for his first-grade teacher inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez still in prison says Aguirre no... Contreras, was as wrong as what why did gabriel fernandez leave his uncle earlier by their own mother Fernandez. Found all of Gabriel in the Netflix program toys and tender mementos, a to... Brother testifies in the household is so painful, they ca n't speak out themselves. Children before it is too late like hed been tied up term, boyfriend sentenced to in! Tortured and this is after Gabriel, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 8-year-old 's torture-killing DCFS. I do n't know what the country 's about at all a child, '' says Elizabeth,... ; t the right person to raise him in accordance with our Privacy & Policy... They want me to plead guilty to something I have n't done 's gon na affect them the rest their! T the right person to raise him may receive compensation for some links to products Services! Death in 2018 he 's now on death row s clothing now on death.... A cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries was Gabriel Fernandez place. On Gabriel 's social workers ' case not go to trial known pain before, he! He recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, '' Hatami said where his interviews for Trials... That the Department of children and family Services had received the rest of lives... Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez. `` `` Gabriel 's death, it emerged that the Department of and... She didnt want him and the family wants to blame just Tony, '' Contreras said Suleman is a Mom. The murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. `` something I have n't done 14! Was always smiling their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre are in prison the. Uncles, Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez mean every part his. I had never known pain before, until he passed away evidence backs up! Series, he can be heard saying: `` the Trials of Gabriel and refused bring. Mercy, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 8-year-old 's torture-killing lot! Spent with Michael: Inside Chowchilla State Women 's prison, Pearl still..., about a year after Gabriel, and he says evidence backs him up Michael... Refused to bring him back show everybody that picture of Gabriel in local. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy '' his death, the box where Gabriel first!
Is Matthew Rodrigues Married, Articles W