Instead, she gave him to her uncle Carranza (Fernandezs great-uncle) and his partner, David Martinez. However, in 2009, Gabriel left the care of Michael and David and lived with his grandparents until 2012. 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. 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 . 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.". Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriels great-aunt and Michaels sister spoke highly of Michael and David parenting. Gabriel was first given to his great uncles, Michael Lemos Carranza and his partner David Martinez, where he spent around four years. Contreras received support he never imagined. RELATED: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. In November 2017, Isauro was found guilty of murder with an additional special circumstance of intentional murder by torture. Michael had raised and cared for Gabriel in the early years of his life, alongside his partner David Martinez. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. RELATED: Slain SoCal boy pepper-sprayed in face, forced to eat cat feces, brother testifies. "It's. Carranza's death meant he never saw justice for the little boy he loved so much. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Gabriel Fernandez, eight, died in Los Angeles at the hand of his mother and stepdad after social workers allegedly failed to act, Photos showed burns and bruising to Gabriel's mouth in hospital, Pearl Fernandez and Aguirre showed little emotion in court, Netflix's The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez explores tragic reason behind his death, Gabriel Fernandezs uncle reveals how hes still traumatized by boys torture death seven years on, Madison Bell 'chose to disappear to start a new life' as shes found with a person of interest, Coronavirus patients stop being infectious after 11 days even if they still test positive, study finds, Dad charged after severely abused daughter, 7, is found dead in garage, Your second coronavirus stimulus check could have stricter conditions about how to spend $4,000, Trapeze artist, 29, trapped in Spain during lockdown dies after falling and hitting her head during practice, Boris Johnson must get us out of lockdown fast and ram home the dire effects of refusing to do so, Youll only get your coronavirus stimulus money by debit card or check in the mail as IRS stops direct deposits, Husband of train worker who died from coronavirus after thug spat at her says his 'family's lives have been destroyed', This freak 10-week Bank Holiday must end for our economy to resume, he was often locked in a cabinet - nicknamed "the box". The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez: The Tragic Story of Gabriel's Uncle Michael, objected to him being cared for by two gay men. Aguirre was sentenced to death. See the 'Counting On' Kids' Houses, Look How Much the Little Couple's Kids Will and Zoey Have Grown Up, Every Look From the Kardashian-Jenner Family at the 2021 Met Gala, Gabby Petito's Texts Show 'More and More Tension' With Brian Laundrie, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings, Jon Gosselin Is 'Open' With Kids Collin, Hannah About Their Dating Lives. "As far as Canada, they come. Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. Isauro is currently on death row at San Quentin Prison and Pearl is incarcerated at Chowchilla Womens Prison, both in California. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. 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 children testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, and accusations that he was gay. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. "They had the upper hand, I honestly believe to remove him and save him. "They need somebody else to do it, but especially during this time. PALMDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. Michael was 46 years old at the time and his funeral arrangements were made in San . Seven years later, the boy's story has traveled worldwide, and mourners have had questions. Gabri Children are still getting murdered. In 2009 he moved in with his grandparents; his grandfather deciding that Gabriel should not be brought up by two gay men. Gabriel Fernandez: Who is Michael Lemos Carranza? The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a full brown reveal of the life and death of an eight. Gabriel Fernandez was only 8 years old when he was brutally murdered by his mother Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre.And as detailed in Netflix's documentary "The Trials of Gabriel . Gabriel's uncle Chris Contreras is breaking his silence. Gabriel Fernandez: Where are Gabriel Fernandez brother and sister now? In the doc, he says, "ICE got hold of me. As Garcia described Gabriel's progress in her class, Fernandez blurted out of nowhere, "I don't hit my kids." "Oh OK," said Garcia. Gabriel Fernandez: What is The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez about? They would take him everywhere, he would always be clean and happy. All rights reserved. (Photo by Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images). "They can't fight for themselves, they can't speak out for themselves. 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. "I would show everybody that picture of Gabriel in the hospital. Gabriel Fernandez: Which other cases were tried in same LA courtroom? Born on January 4, 1968, Carranza passed away on September 17, 2014, a little over a year after Gabriel's demise. Ligature marks on his ankles like hed been tied up. Those were just some of the injuries suffered by Gabriel Fernandez at the hands of his mother, Pearl, shortly before he died. After having Fernandez, his mom, Pearl, decided she wasnt the right person to raise him. Those who knew Gabriel best talked to ABC7 in Los Angeles about the boy. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? "A lot of the family wants to blame just Tony," says Elizabeth Carranza, Gabriel's great-aunt. They claimed to have never found strong enough signs of abuse in order to remove Gabriel from the house. Isauro, however, denied the charge, and was ultimately sentenced to death in 2018 he's now on death row. 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. [Michael Lemos Carranza and David Martinez] were both very good with him, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez great-aunt, said in the documentary. Gabriel Fernandez was enrolled in the local school, Summerwind Elementary, where he had an unusual question for his first-grade teacher. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". They closed their eyes and didnt see nothing?," he said. "I had never known pain before, until he passed away. 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. Seven years on from his death, there are still so many lingering uncertainties regarding Gabriel's case and not just about his murderer parents. Aguirre was sentenced to death. I haven't been here [San Salvador] for 38 years. Struggling through tears, she added that there was: "So much damage, and so many questions.". A new voice joined the outcry. In interviews with Netflix he recalls times spent with Michael and Gabriel, and says he feels both are with him in spirit. Gabriel Fernandez: Did Gabriel Fernandez's parents die? Seven years later, his story has traveled worldwide. "How many people have named their children after Gabriel, my five year old son's middle name is Gabriel.". All Rights Reserved. They testified about the bat, the BB guns, the box where Gabriel was confined, accusations that he was gay. 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. 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. Unfortunately, they were his last eight months. Gabriel Fernandez, eight, died in Los Angeles at the hand of his mother and stepdad after social workers allegedly failed to act 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. "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. PALMDALE, Calif. -- This weekend marks seven years since parental child abuse took the life of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. She said: He had a depressed skull fracture, meaning you could feel his skull You could feel the crepitus its almost like Rice Krispies, you could feel it crunching on his head. Contreras received support he never imagined. View our online Press Pack. DON'T MISSGabriel Fernandez: Is Gabriel Fernandezs killer still alive? This marked the start of the worst period of Gabriel's life. After his teacher notified social workers of the abuse, something could have been done. 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. The series originally had included the Contreras family, but to allow more time for healing, Contreras requested that their part be taken out. "As far as Canada, they come. Contreras says Aguirre deserves no mercy, and he says evidence backs him up. 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. The. "There were rumours that he [Gabriel] was gay, and it's like, 'no, my baby's not gay. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. He and his wife adopted Gabriel's siblings, the walking wounded. The Netflix documentary, "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez", they watched it together. In 2012 he moved back in with Pearl and Aguirre so she could reportedly claim additional welfare. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Following this, Martinez was deported by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) back to his native El Salvador. The couple watched the Netflix documentary "The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.". But Contreras says a door opened recently. Fernandez left the hospital the day her youngest son was born, The Cinemaholic reveals. But Contreras says a door opened recently. 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. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. They want me to plead guilty to something I haven't done. Following Gabriels death, his great Uncle Michael criticised the Los Angeles Child Protection Services and led a memorial mass at a Los Angeles church for Gabriel. The social workers were there. Garcia intentionally left the door open because she was concerned about being alone with Pearl Fernandez. More info. Here's all that we know about Michael and his partner, who too had tragic fates. They loved being with him and raising him, and Gabriel loved them both very much.. "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. Children are still getting tortured and this is after Gabriel," Hatami said. SoCal parental abuse case: Uncle breaks silence nearly 7 years after 8-year-old boy's death. Ezekiel was 12 and Virginia was 10 when they witnessed the torture inflicted by their own mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre. The charges, filed in 2016, marked the first time Los Angeles caseworkers . 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. "Something brings it back in. Fernandez's parents, Robert and Sandra, helped raise the child as well, looking after him between 2005 and 2012. "I just remember that night thinking, I just cant I just cant wrap my head around how it got to this. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. A new voice joined the outcry. The dismissal, says Contreras, was as wrong as what happened earlier. "Children are still getting killed. Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing, Antelope Valley torture, child death cases receive new attention with documentary, tribute mural, Gabriel Fernandez case: Court says social workers won't face charges in Palmdale boy's death, Palmdale abuse case: Mother of slain 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez pleads guilty. The prosecutor's crusade to protect children was ignited at the Palmdale complex where Gabriel lived. Thursday, 2nd March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Gabriel's memory in the household is so painful, they avoid it. "All those workers that came in, and therapists, why did they all believe her over the kid with the marks?". Gavin Newsom, citing his personal sense of morality, suspended all executions for as long as he's in office. "Unfortunately, I think this is something that's gonna affect them the rest of their lives. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. Heartwarming footage in the documentary showcases pictures of Michael, David and Gabriel playing together and celebrating Christmas. Express.co.ukhas everything you need to know. A new voice joined the outcry. As seen in the Netflix documentary series, he was kept locked in a cupboard on numerous occasions and suffered unbelievable injuries. 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. R.I.P MICHAEL LEMOS CARRANZA.. His memory has generated positive steps to save children. To this celebrating Christmas Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images ) feels both are with him in spirit old the. 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