"They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? Netflixs documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explained to true crime viewers that Carranza was the one raising Fernandez from birth. My Research and Language Selection Sign into My Research Create My Research Account English; Help and support. Children are still getting murdered. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. Social worker Stefanie Rodriguez and other representatives of child protection agencies also visited Gabriel's home on a number of occasions. Tuchel was statesman-like during the most fraught period in Chelsea's recent history. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. "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. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. Their abuse led to his death in May 2013. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. RELATED: Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. She steered the conversation back to Gabriel's academics. One of the most distressing elements of Gabriel's case was that he wrote a suicide note, aged eight. She also recalls seeing "cigarette marks like people had been putting cigarettes out on him". The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is the harrowing six-part documentary series on Netflix about the case of Gabriel Fernandez. 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. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. However, before he turned 4, the little boy began living with his grandparents Robert and Sandra Fernandez. Have a tip? 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. According to the LA Times, Robert and Sandra claimed they warned cops that Pearl had a history of abuse with her other children but they allowed Gabriel to stay with her anyway. Here's all that we know about Michael and his partner, who too had tragic fates. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Carranza slammed social services for their failings in a rally held days after Gabriel died. In The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Martinez says of this, "We were close with Pearl and she didn't want it [baby Gabriel] and the family didn't want her to have him. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. Pearl Fernandez gave . Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. "Something brings it back in. Before Gabriel Fernandez returned to his mother Pearl Fernandez, he was brought up by his Great uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his grandparents. 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. All rights reserved. Every question put his way was handled with a blend of authority and empathy. When Gabriel was born, drug addict Pearl gave him away to be raised by others saying she didn't love him. The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.". Michael was 46 years old at the time and his funeral arrangements were made in San . It is not any easier," Contreras said. They claimed to have never found strong enough signs of abuse in order to remove Gabriel from the house. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Contreras received support he never imagined. "Something brings it back in. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. In Netflix's The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, Gabriel's relationship with Carranza and Martinez is described as the most loving, but what happened to his great-uncle? Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's. Gabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? David Martinez now lives in San Salvador - capital of El Salvador - after being deported from the US by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. He is now and will forever be with his Gabriel.. May you both be hugging and laughing. A new voice joined the outcry. 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. He'd said he was going to take Gabriel to a barbecue, but they later found out he'd lied. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. "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. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Later, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) deported his partner David to El Salvador. In the documentary, Martinez explains that he currently lives in El Salvador after being deported by ICE. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. After Gabriel's death, Robert and Sandra Fernandez filed a claim against Los Angeles Country, the LA DCFS, Gabriel's school district, the sheriff's office and many more organizations involved. But they didn't," said Carranza. Express.co.ukhas everything you need to know. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. But two people - his great uncle and his partner - did care for him. Gabriel Fernandez: Where are Gabriel Fernandez brother and sister now? Michael Lemos Carranza was Gabriel Fernandez's Great Uncle, Gabriel Fernandez was raised by his great uncle and his partner. "I hear a few people say she was a victim, and didn't know how to get out of it. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. "It's all those emotions are there. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. "As far as Canada, they come. Mourners have had questions. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. Unfortunately, Michaels death came before Pearl and Isauro were found guilty of killing Gabriel and the were sentenced. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says. The docuseries briefly goes into Gabriel's time under their care, years before his mother, Pearl, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, brutally killed the 8-year-old. 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). Isauro, however, denied the charge, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he's now on death row. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. Living in a household gripped by fear. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. At least those people are going to do their part and I know that children have been saved due to his story," Contreras said. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. 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.". Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! 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 the final eight months of his life, Gabriel suffered extreme abuse at the hands of his mother Pearl and Isauro. On September 13, 2018, a Los Angeles County judge denied a motion to dismiss felony child abuse and falsification of records charges against four former child welfare caseworkers in the 2013 death of eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. In the doc, he says, "ICE got hold of me. Days after Gabriel was born on February 21, 2005, he was placed in the care of his Great Uncle Michael, who was the uncle of Gabriels mother Pearl. Gabriel lived with Michael and David for the first few years of his life. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. It is not any easier.". Amid the toys and tender mementos, a call to save children before it is too late. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. I will love him until I die. For the first four years of his life, Gabriel lived with his great-uncle Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez after Pearl gave the child away. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? But the question remains whether it was just one of the thugs driving the abuse, or if they were both equally culpable. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming on Netflix now. They closed their eyes and didnt see nothing?," he said. He saw how it opened minds and hearts. 1M views 2 years ago It has been seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Contreras received support he never imagined. Car loads.". Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Aguirre was sentenced to death. According to Pearl's great-aunt Elizabeth Carranza, both men loved Gabriel very much. In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies. Despite this, supervisor Gregory Merritt closed the case. 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.". In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Contreras received support he never imagined. 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. "They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. Gabriel with his grandparents, Sandra and Robert Fernandez, before he was made to live with his murderous mum Credit: Netflix When Gabriel was born, drug addict Pearl gave him away to be raised by . During the last eight months of his life, Gabriel was the victim of child abuse which eventually led to his murder in May 2013. Instead, the little boy was left to suffer and die at the hands of his own caregivers, as the city of Los Angeles turned a blind eye. As seen in the Netflix documentary series, he was kept locked in a cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries. We convinced herto give him to uswe picked Gabriel up from the hospital when he was three days old. Michael passed away on Sept. 17, 2014, about a year after Gabriel. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. They wanted to prove he performed CPR as the boy was dying. He didnt look like a child," she says. There was not a single misstep from the German - and that, at least partly, is why he remains beloved by supporters despite leaving the club in September. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". I feel like theyre with me to this moment, he said. 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 Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. You need to care.". By the grace of a higher power, he convinced Pearl to . "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he 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. 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. For him, it's personal. Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. A new voice joined the outcry. 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. Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. This is despite LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey previously telling NBC Los Angeles she stood by the charges, stating: There ought to be some criminal consequences.. Gabriel died in intensive care after being savagely beaten and tortured at his home in Palmdale, Los Angeles County, by Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirro. But they didn't," said Carranza. 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. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a full brown reveal of the life and death of an eight. Lots of different people unwittingly played a part in allowing one of the worst cases of child torture in American history to unfold. One way or another," Contreras said. Her theory was that Pearl told authorities that it was bigger boys that were harming her son, not her and her partner. "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. "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. In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. Elizabeth Carranza says she contacted both the cops and social workers multiple times, worrying about Gabriel's safety. I feel like they are here with me too.". In 2012, when Gabriel was eight-years-old, he was placed in the care of his mother Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirre. Notably, it was fears of Gabriel's potential homosexuality that were revealed as a direct cause of the abuse Gabriel faced, as revealed at the trial of one of his killers, Isauro Aguirre. 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. "Something brings it back in. It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. RELATED: Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty, Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. DON'T MISSGabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? 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. But there's speculation that the note found was part of an unimaginably despicable plan to kill Gabriel and get away with it. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. 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.". 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. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. Gabriel's uncle, Chris Contreras, is breaking his silence. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. 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. "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. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. 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. Socal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies memory in the trial... Said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in ways. 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