Netflix premiered its new documentary, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, on 26 February 2020. The documentary is based on the real story that plots the storyline of a murdered boy, Gabriel Fernandez, to whom the system failed to save.
The real story based documentary also raises the question of the system and the so-called social workers, whose negligence leads to the death of the young boy. The series is categorized into six parts, which are really difficult to watch, inevitably compelling and messy.
The executive producers of The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez are Lowell Bergman and Brian Knappenberger. Similarly, actors including William Guirola, Wyatt Hinz, and Larry Mantle have appeared in Netflix's documentary.
Who Is Gabriel Fernandez? His Exclusive Biography
Gabriel Fernandez was born to Arnold Jose Contreras and Pearl Sinthia Fernandez in the United States in 2005.
During childhood, he lived with his uncle, paternal grandparents, and his two siblings but later moved in Palmdale, California, to his mother Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and stepfather, Isauro Aguirre.
Gabriel's journey to the world of abuse started after he moved to his mom and stepfather. He attended nearby school with patches of hair missing, injured lips, and cuts/bruises all over his face.
As per Gabriel's siblings' statement, Pearl walloped him with BB Gun and forced him to eat cat litter and also kept locked him in her room. They revealed that Pearl and Isauro called him 'gay' and punished for displaying the feminine nature.
The turning point of Gabriel's case was after Pearl herself called 911 on 22 May 2013, stating that he was not breathing. When the paramedics reached the site, they found Gabriel with broken ribs and a cracked skull.
Although he was rushed to the hospital, he was later declared brain-dead. He died on 24 May 2013.
The Real Story Behind The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
'Not every parent loves their offsprings.' You might get offended by this statement, but Gabriel Fernandez's murder case will prove to you the truth.
The young boy was murdered in the first degree by his own mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, in May 2013.
Both Pearl and Isauro were convicted of first-degree murder of the 8-year-old boy. Gabriel Fernandez was eight years when he died as a result of 'acts of abuse.'
Gabriel's mother never loved him, and along with Isauro Aguirre, she abused her own flesh and blood until death. Gabriel was found naked and dead with his cracked skull, three broken ribs, and BB pellets embedded in the lungs and groin. He died after a couple of days of the abuse.
Gabriel Fernandez, the murdered boy (©: latitimes.com)
Apart from that, authorities have mentioned the negligence of social workers and the system as well as one of the reasons behind child abusive death.
Gabriel's Biological Father Filed A Wrongful Death Lawsuit And Testified His Death In 2017
Gabriel's biological father's name is Arnold Jose Contreras. Arnold was in prison in Riverside County when his son died of exceeded acts of abuse. He came forth with the support of his dead son in 2014 by filing a wrongful death lawsuit along with Gabriel's three siblings and paternal grandparents.
At the time of filings, the plaintiffs argued that their complaints were not investigated properly. They also mentioned that the Department of Public Social Services worker had acknowledged the abuse but did not report.
Nevertheless, four Los Angeles County social workers, Stefanie Rodriguez, Patricia Clement, Kevin Bom, and Gregory Merritt, got charged with a felony count of child abuse and falsifying public records.
Gabriel Fernandez with his father and sibling (©: Facebook/Arnold Contreas)
Later in 2017, Arnold testified the death of Gabriel during the sentencing of Isauro Aguirre.
During the trial, which was to decide the penalty of either death sentence or life in prison, Arnold mentioned that Gabriel was an 'energetic young man who loved to run and play.' He further stated that his son did not want to move with his mother, Pearl, and stepfather, Isauro, as he was happy with his grandparents before Pearl took him for the welfare advantage in 2012.
During the trial, the jurors voted for the death penalty for Gabriel's stepfather, Isauro Aguirre. They announced Isauro be sentenced to death and released a statement:
"We were plucked out of our everyday lives and brought together to serve. We came together to bring justice to Gabriel.”