Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. 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. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasn't the right person to raise him. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. Living in a household gripped by fear. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. In Pearl's custody, someone called to report that they thought Gabriel was molested by his uncle, but no one has confirmed this allegation. 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. During the last eight months of . Gabriel Fernandez was eight years old when he died, Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. It is not any easier," Contreras said. Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. 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. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. RELATED: Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death. "As far as Canada, they come. A new voice joined the outcry. Gabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? 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. Contreras received support he never imagined. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. Why are you guys saying that?' But Gov. "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. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. All Rights Reserved. "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. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Monster mum Pearl and her partner Isauro, who was also known as "Tony", were both convicted for the horrors they inflicted on Gabriel. But things could have been so different for Gabriel if hed been allowed to continue living with other relatives. "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. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. The power for change, Hatami says, is reflected in a growing memorial. But she claims that not only did the LAPD not believe the horrific things Gabriel said were happening to him, they told him to stop lying. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. I don't know what the country's about at all. "Something brings it back in. It was her uncle, Michael Lemos Carranza, and his partner, David Martinez, who took care of Gabriel Fernandez during the first year of his life. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. 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. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. 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). Her theory was that Pearl told authorities that it was bigger boys that were harming her son, not her and her partner. In the doc, he says, "ICE got hold of me. She contemplated abortion on several occasions and would have gone through with it had her uncle had not convinced her to have the baby. Social worker Stefanie Rodriguez and other representatives of child protection agencies also visited Gabriel's home on a number of occasions. Gabriel Fernandez: Where are Gabriel Fernandez brother and sister now? Martinez, who was featured in the documentary, explained, She didnt want him and the family didnt want her to have him. Gabri Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. Gabriel's two siblings were adopted by their uncle, Chris Contreras and his wife. Later, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) deported his partner David to El Salvador. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. Speaking in the documentary series, Christene Estes, a trauma nurse, describes having to document each of the injuries they found individually - while her colleagues fought to save his life. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. When he was 3 days old, Pearl sent her son to live with Michael. In the new Netflix documentary series about his shocking case, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, the horrific facts of his torment are laid bare. A new voice joined the outcry. 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 will love him until I die.". She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". But Gov. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. All rights reserved. I confront him, and say 'why did you say that, you didn't want him to be born, you didn't want him when he was born, nobody in the family wanted him.'". (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images), Isauro Aguirre was given the death penalty for the murder of Gabriel Fernandez. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. "They can . One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. Your guess is just as good as mine. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? A post on the Gabriels Justice Facebook page from September 2014 reads: It is with a heavy heart and tears, that I inform you.. Today my beloved cousin Michael has passed away today. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. 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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. 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. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. 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. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The boy's uncle said he and his wife have adopted two of the boy's siblings, telling jurors that the children experience feelings of guilt about what happened to their younger brother. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. 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. "Children are still getting killed. A position rejected by Hatami. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. "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. "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. "In her mind," Hatami said of Pearl, "She's thinking that they were gonna get rid of him. "They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. Their abuse led to his death in May 2013. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy had BB lodged in his groin area, nurse testifies. A position rejected by Hatami. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. The social workers were there. He told the 911 operator he was following her instructions and performing the chest compressions but witnesses in the case threw doubt that he'd actually given the life-saving treatment. Gabriel's teacher Jennifer Garcia reported signs of abuse to Rodriguez, according to court records. Yet the charges against the group never made it to trial after the 2nd District Court of Appeal advised the lower court dismiss the charges. Have a tip? Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when their brother died, and are still haunted by the abuse they were forced to witness in the Palmdale, California residence. 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. All rights reserved. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriels great-aunt and Michaels sister spoke highly of Michael and David parenting. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. 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. For him, it's personal. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. 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. Speaking in the documentary, David Martinez explained how they came to raise Gabriel in the first place. It is not any easier.". The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. They closed their eyes and didnt see nothing?," he said. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. As for where Michael is now, unfortunately, Gabriel's great uncle has passed away. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. 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. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. Young Gabriel Fernandez. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? 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.". How safe is your neighborhood? The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming on Netflix now. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. Though he was afraid to return to the country after 38 years away, he feels that Fernandez and Carranza are with him in spirit. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. In Spanish, he can be heard saying: "They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. 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. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. Car loads.". One way or another," Contreras said. 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. Gabriel lived with Michael and David for the first few years of his life. Car loads.". 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). 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