Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. He was my baby. Aguirre was sentenced to death. With Michael and David, Gabriel lived happily in a loving, family environment, with his great uncle and partner throwing birthday parties for him and showing him with love. Robert Fernandez's account of this, however, differs. ", 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. 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. A position rejected by Hatami. It is not any easier.". I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. 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They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. Just three days after he was born, Gabriel Fernandez was . But the question remains whether it was just one of the thugs driving the abuse, or if they were both equally culpable. After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. A new voice joined the outcry. "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. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. 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. 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. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. 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). "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. In the documentary, Gabriel's move at the age of four was because his grandfather Robert Fernandez did not agree with a same-sex couple raising a child. "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. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. Contreras received support he never imagined. 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. "Children are still getting killed. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. Mourners have had questions. 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 But Gov. For him, it's personal. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. But they didn't," said Carranza. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". I will love him until I die. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. 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 . "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. "As far as Canada, they come. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. It's all those emotions are there. However, the cause of death remains unknown. One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. "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. You can unsubscribe at any time. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," added Contreras. "All those workers that came in, and therapists, why did they all believe her over the kid with the marks?". Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandez's great-uncle) and his partner, David. And what did they do? 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. All rights reserved. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. David maintains that this allegation is false, as did some members of Gabriel's family. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. 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. Im sorry to my children, and I want them to know that I love them.". I haven't been here [San Salvador] for 38 years. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. Children are still getting murdered. DeSantis coming to CA as new poll shows him leading Trump, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. The power for change, Hatami said, is reflected in a growing memorial. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. 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. All rights reserved. Gavin Newsom, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. Your guess is just as good as mine. As seen in the Netflix documentary series, he was kept locked in a cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries. "They can . At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. 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.". 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. Living in a household gripped by fear. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. 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. Carranza slammed social services for their failings in a rally held days after Gabriel died. His cause of death is not known. The social workers were there. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles about the boy. In a suit Robert Fernandez brought against the county of Los Angeles with his wife Sandra after the death of Gabriel, the couple allege that they always had custody of the child. But Contreras says a door opened recently. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. Fernandez left the hospital the day her youngest son was born, The Cinemaholic reveals. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. David maintains that this allegation is false, as did some members of Gabriel's family. Have a tip? Send it to us! "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. But they didn't," said Carranza. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Isauro Aguirre was given the death penalty for the murder of Gabriel Fernandez. Gabriel Fernandez: What happened to prosecutor Jon Hatami? 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. 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. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. To this day, Contreras said Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. It is not any easier," Contreras said. 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. 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. 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. But Contreras says a door opened recently. 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. [FACT CHECK]Gabriel Fernandez: Why did the 4 social workers' case not go to trial? "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". More info. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. If you knew Pearl, Pearl was never the victim. "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. Express.co.ukhas everything you need to know. 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. "As far as Canada, they come. He didnt look like a child," she says. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Sadly Michael died in 2014, just 16 months after Gabriel. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. Children are still getting murdered. "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. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. Social worker Stefanie Rodriguez and other representatives of child protection agencies also visited Gabriel's home on a number of occasions. 1M views 2 years ago It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. "I hear a few people say she was a victim, and didn't know how to get out of it. They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. Sadly, just 16 months after Gabriels death, 46-year-old Michael Lemos Carranza died on September 17, 2014. 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. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "It's all those emotions are there. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. , however, differs know that those that have heard or seen his.! How it got to this day, Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves `` no mercy.. For Gabriel in the Netflix program 's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for the murder 8-year-old. Do n't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries is breaking silence. Agencies also visited Gabriel 's family Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty )! Was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by.... 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