"What they did is almost as bad as what Pearl and Isauro did," added Contreras. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. [Robert] said that two gay guys shouldnt be raising a kid, Martinez said in the Netflix program. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. Gabriel Fernandez: Inside Chowchilla State Women's prison, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre are in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel. You need to care," said Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. Pearl Fernandez gave . As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. But why would he deny the crime knowing it could lead to him being given a lethal injection? He saw how it opened minds and hearts. It is not any easier," Contreras said. David currently resides in San Salvador, where he was interviewed for the docuseries. 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. PALMDALE, California -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. The Los Angeles DA stated that Aguirre frequently beat Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay. "I know that those that have heard or seen his story. 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. 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. One way or another," Contreras said. For other inquiries, Contact Us. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. But his grandparents, Robert and Sandra Fernandez, say they always had custody of Gabriel and eventually took him in themselves. They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. "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. Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials 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. Before his death, Gabriel Fernandez didnt always live with his mother his uncles Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez were also a big part of his life. "He was my baby," David said. In the documentary, Martinez explains that he currently lives in El Salvador after being deported by ICE. After his death, it emerged that the Department of Children and Family Services had received. A fractured skull, broken ribs and BB pellets in his skin. "Children are still getting killed. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez season 2 release date: Will there be another series? It would give an officer on an abuse call a way to quickly check for DCFS history and alert the caseworker. He takes aim at the Department of Children and Family Services. To this day, Contreras says Gabriel's siblings don't let themselves have fun, no matter how much he tries. We want to hear from you. 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? After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasnt the right person to raise him. Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. Later investigations revealed Rodriguez had never received information detailing previous allegations that Pearl Rodriguez had neglected her other children. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. I feel like they are here with me too.". It is not any easier.". In the autumn of 2013 his great uncle led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church. "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. 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.". Contreras says he believes Aguirro deserves "no mercy". One way or another," Contreras said. "Something brings it back in. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. For him, it's personal. ", In the subsequent trial, Gabriel's brave siblings described how. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. Investigators found all of Gabriel's clothing. 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. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. The systemic failings of the system designed to protect vulnerable children in Los Angeles are exposed too. "Children are still getting killed. At her sentencing, she said: "Every day I wish that Id made better choices. Early in his legal proceedings, Isauro was secretly recorded in jail talking to a clergyman and the tape was leaked to the press. This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. 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 . 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. Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says. Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandez's great-uncle) and his partner, David. 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. They wanted to prove he performed CPR as the boy was dying. However, medical staff instantly realised it was much worse as they noticed injuries covering his entire body. 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. "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. And having never tried to care for him before, why was she showing concern about his mental welfare now? 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 One way or another," 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. View our online Press Pack. The head of DCFS says since Gabriel's death, the system has been overhauled. "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. 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. But California's governor, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. The proposal is pushed by Gabriel's cousin Emily Carranza who pins blame on Gabriel's social workers. A new voice joined the outcry. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? It is not any easier," Contreras said. But Gov. 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. After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. Seven years later, Gabriel's story has traveled worldwide. However, before he turned 4, the little boy began living with his grandparents Robert and Sandra Fernandez. 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. Tragically, Gabriel Fernandez's death was entirely preventable. SoCal parental abuse case: Uncle breaks silence nearly 7 years after 8-year-old boy's death. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Gabriel Fernandezs biological father. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. 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. Sadly, just 16 months after Gabriels death, 46-year-old Michael Lemos Carranza died on September 17, 2014. And there's momentum for "Gabriel's Law." Gabriel's uncle, Chris Contreras, is breaking his silence. 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? 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