Later investigations revealed Rodriguez had never received information detailing previous allegations that Pearl Rodriguez had neglected her other children. During the trial, Isauro's defence team played his call to 911 when Gabriel stopped breathing. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez details the horrendous abuse Gabriel endured, which also included forcing him to eat cat faeces, burning him with cigarettes and locking him in a cabinet. A new voice joined the outcry. Children are still getting murdered. 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. Aguirre was found guilty of the same crime and was given the death penalty. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. Mom of 2, stabbed 8 times, is making most of second chance at life, Whose leak is it anyway? David currently resides in San Salvador, where he was interviewed for the docuseries. Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. [INSIGHT]. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Gabriel only lived with his mother for eight months of his life. And if you don't, I think the public then should have the right to hold you criminally responsible," Hatami said. 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. In Pearl's custody, someone called to report that they thought Gabriel was molested by his uncle, but no one has confirmed this allegation. 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. Eventually, Pearl took Gabriel from his grandparents eight months before his death on May 24, 2013. A new voice joined the outcry. All rights reserved. However, the cause of death remains unknown. 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. Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. Gabriel Fernandez: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents? The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. He'd said he was going to take Gabriel to a barbecue, but they later found out he'd lied. In 2012, when Gabriel was eight-years-old, he was placed in the care of his mother Pearl Fernandez and her partner Isauro Aguirre. I feel like theyre with me to this moment, 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. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 about the boy. One way or another," Contreras said. 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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. The power for change, Hatami said, is reflected in a growing memorial. 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. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. The horrifying murder was detailed in Netflix documentary The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. "When I heard that sheriffs had went out and threatened Gabriel as if he keeps lying about things, that made me very angry," Elizabeth said. "When her and Tony would fight, she was the abusive one to him.". "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. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. In an interview with ABC7, Contreras finally broke his silence, to mark the seven years since Gabriel's deaeth. However, Pearl and Aguirre called Gabriel gay and hurt him for acting in manners that they considered feminine. I had never known pain before, until he passed away. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. Meanwhile, his siblings described watching their brother being forced to eat cat litter and have cold baths while being pepper sprayed. 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. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. We convinced her to have Gabriel and for her to give [the baby] to us so we [could] raise 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. ; Contact Us Have a question, idea, or some feedback? The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? 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.". Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. David maintains that this allegation is false, as did some members of Gabriel's family. Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. For him, it's personal. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez: The Tragic Story of Gabriel's Uncle Michael, objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Pearl pleaded guilty to first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. But Contreras says a door opened recently. 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. He was declared brain dead and taken off life support two days later. A position rejected by Hatami. He now lives in the country's capital San Salvador, where his interviews for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez took place. Send it to us! When Gabriel died, there was a Department of Child and Family Services investigation opened against Martinez and Carranza, looking into a claim that the pair had sexually abused Gabriel. 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. A new voice joined the outcry. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. "What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," he said. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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