Where Is Pearl Fernandez Now? So clearly Pearl was involved in that child abuse, starving Gabriel, keeping him in the box for eight months, not taking him for medical aid, pepper-spraying him in the face, hitting him with a baseball bat so many things were brought out in the trial, Hatami said Wednesday. While Pearl Fernandez is alive, life in the largest female correctional facility in the U.S. has to be difficult. When Hatami asked Contreras on the stand during Aguirres trial what he would say to his son if he the opportunity, his message was simple: Im sorry, he said. They were in their cells with maggots in their hair and poop all over the wall. Her plea deal meant she evaded the death penalty. Garrett Therolf, the producer of the series and former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, told Oxygen.com that Pearl also had a history of violence with Arnold Contreras, Gabriels father. Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend were charged with the murder of Pearls son, Gabriel Fernandez. [7] The abuse and torture extended to Fernandez's siblings, except it was directed more towards Fernandez. Pearl Fernandez is reportedly experiencing a torrid time in a California prison. Pearl filed a petition to get a new hearing in her case in April 2021, the Daily News reported at the time. Criminal defense attorney Dmitry Gorin, who was not involved in the case, said that his law firm fields calls almost daily concerning resentencing, but that most seeking relief dont qualify for it under state law. Previously, she covered City Hall for Glendale News-Press, then part of Times Community News. Her father often found himself in trouble with the law, and her mother allegedly beat her, according to Oxygen. However, Elizabeth Carranza, Fernandez's aunt, and her husband claim that Fernandez falsely portrays herself as a victim and that it was Fernandez who was abusive and controlling towards her romantic partners. }); The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. However, the plea deal also managed to keep her off death row. Lets look at how Pearl Fernandez is doing now. Here's a little background on the Gabriel Fernandez case. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez enters her guilty plea in the death her son, Gabriel Fernandez, in 2018. [5], Throughout his eight-month stay in the household of Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre, Gabriel Fernandez was systematically abused and tortured. Her father often found himself in trouble with the law, and her mother allegedly beat her, according to Oxygen. Not Hollywood, not L.A., not the country, At 19, he won a local school board seat. He died at the age of eight years old, and the official autopsy declared he died of blunt force trauma that coincided with neglect and malnutrition. [19] He was admitted to San Quentin State Prison on June 13, 2018, awaiting execution. After being born and quickly given up by his mother, Gabriel Fernandez had been raised by various family members first by his uncle and his uncles partner and then by his grandparents before Pearl Fernandez decided the young boy should live with her. Fernandezs life has been filled with abuse as well, as she shared that her uncle tried to rape her as a teenager. She was initially brought into custody on charges of felony child endangerment and child abuse. After speaking with the principal, Garcia called Rodriguez back and informed her of the recent signs of abuse. The judge explained that the new statute on which Pearl based her petition does not apply to her case because she was a direct participant or actual killer of the child.. (*This must be a typo. The three shared the same father, Arnold Contreras. Arnold Contreras couldnt save his eight-year-old son Gabriel Fernandez. Pearl Fernandez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and to murder involving torture. [29] However, there was never a medical follow up and every time a social worker would go to Fernandez's household, she never talked directly to Fernandez and would only talk to his mother. Alice Kelly is YourTangos Deputy News and Entertainment Editor. He reminded Fernandez that she waived her appellate rights in her guilty plea. While Aguirre sits on death row in San Quentin, Fernandez spends her days at Chowchilla State Womens Prison, a Central California womens facility. the failures of the legal system that was supposed to protect the boy, first by his uncle and his uncles partner, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. As Pearl will never be paroled and Isauro is on death row, these are the gruelling jails where the couple will spend the rest of their days. One prison officer had his face cut up by a lag during a medical exam in 2017. He was convicted on a second charge on Jan. 25, 2019 and given a one-year and four-month sentence to be served consecutively with his 2018 sentence. "This is a dog kennel. Pearl was 23 when she became pregnant with Gabriel. Even in the maximum-security confinement of death row, the guards can't always hold back the savage violence raging at San Quentin. Fernandez was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and Aguirre was sentenced to death. RELATED: My Abusive Father Beat Me As A Child But Now I'm Facing My Fears Head-On. Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, 40, was sentenced to death. In October 2012, Aguirre began working as a security guard for AVL Private Security; through AVL he worked at the Vallarta Market in Palmdale, California. But in a petition filed April 1, she asked the judge to review her sentence in light of recent changes to state law that affects some people convicted of murder under theories that do not require intent to kill, including felony murder or a natural and probable consequences theory. "Theyre not just neglectful; theyre cruel.". A California mother who pleaded guilty to the torture and beating death of her 8-year-old son Gabriel Fernandez has filed a petition, asking to be resentenced. Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were charged and convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances of torture. Also, Medinas prison records show that she is currently in the California Institution for Women in Corona, almost 300 miles away from the Chowchilla facility where Pearl is. At the age of nine, Fernandez began using methamphetamine and drinking alcohol, and at the age of eleven, Fernandez decided to run away from home. Three days after his birth, Pearl gave Gabriel away to Michael Lemos Carranza, heruncle, and David Martinez, Michaels partner. The two reportedly havea troubled history, which included allegations that Pearl once threatened to stab Contreras. Based in Brooklyn, New York, her work covers all things social justice, pop culture, and human interest. I can tell you that he feels its his fault and if he was out of custody, he would have saved Gabriel," prosecutor Jon Hatami said of Arnold Contreras. Internet rumors suggest that Pearl is experiencing a torrid time in prison. Lomeli. Everyone, everyone was affected.. The knifeman, Frank Souza, said he'd exacted revenge on behalf of the nine-year-old girl Schaefer killed when he hit her with his motorbike while riding drunk. In court, she stated, "I want to say I'm sorry for what happened. "I'm like a rabid beast," he said. Sadistic Pearl Fernandez is caged inside Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla the biggest female prison in the United States. The young boy had been regularly abused by both parties until one day, he was beaten to the brink of death. She is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Heres what you need to know about Pearl Fernandez, mother of Gabriel Fernandez: 1. In her post, Garcia claims to be a witness to other prison inmates assaulting Pearl after they found out she abused her child to death. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Since joining The Times in 2020, Seidman has served on the breaking news and utility desks, wheres she written about Indigenous communities, wildfires threatening giant trees and fishing the L.A. River. Aguirre's death sentence means he will see him eventually be shackled to a gurney and given a lethal injection in San Quentin's execution room. She was also well behind her peers in school although academic records shown in court reflected that she made attempts to perform well, according to the Times. RELATED: There Is An Alleged Serial Killer On The Loose In California What To Know About Who He Is Targeting. The LA Times reported during the trial that Miora said Pearl is virtually unable to use thought to guide her behavior and temper her emotional reactions., This is addressed in the Netflix series, with Wendy Smith of the University of Southern Californias school of social work. Currently, she is 38 years old and is at the Chowchilla State Womens Prison, which is a part of the Central California Womens Facility. She has four children with Arnold Contreras, including Gabriel. In The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, many family members and friends shared with producers a different side of Pearl than the one outlined in Mioras court report. [24], Jury deliberation began on November 14, 2017, and a verdict was reached the next afternoon. She is now in Chowchilla State Womens Prison in California for the remainder of her sentence. ), Two social workers, Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement, and two supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, were fired and charged with child abuse and falsifying public records. I wish Gabriel was alive, Pearl said before her sentencing . Instead of going through a trial, however, the mom agreed to a plea deal. While Aguirre was given the death sentence for directly causing Gabriels death, Pearl was sentenced to life without parole for her role in not preventing the fatal assault on Gabriel. In fact, a juror has even commented that in his mind Pearl is the one who deserves the death penalty, because it is the mothers job to protect the child, not participate in, and allow his increasing torture. Pearl Sinthia Fernandez enters her guilty plea in the death her son, Gabriel Fernandez, in 2018. He was always smiling, KABC reported him saying at the time. [22] However, when Gabriel died, Fernandez and Aguirre were both charged with first degree murder with special circumstances of torture; prosecutors pursued the death penalty. Deborah S. Miora, a clinical psychologist, who interviewed Pearl for the defense stated that she has a limited intellectual capacity and an education up to the eighth standard. I dont think Id be as strong as him, Hatami said in the docu-series. According to several stories heard in the media, prison inmates dont take kindly to child abusers. [citation needed] However, his execution has yet to be set in accordance with the moratorium on capital punishment issued by California governor Gavin Newsom. A former cellmate of Gabriel Fernandezs mother is revealing what happened to Pearl Fernandez after she was sent to prison for his murder. After Fernandez missed thirteen days of school, he returned and his teacher noticed his condition had worsened. Here are 22 essential L.A. spots for every tourist, Column: We cant afford another writers strike. Contreras took the stand to describe his young son as a normal kid who loved playing games like cops and robbers.. When the young boy was being beaten and eventually tortured to death by his mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, Contreras was behind bars. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. The project will marry her graduate work in clinical psychology and more than 10 years of journalism experience. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? On May 24, 2013, 8-year-old Gabriel was killed following months of abuse and torture at the hand of his mother Pearl Fernandezand her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. The truth behind his rumored death. Keep up with her Twitter for more. [21], On May 23, 2013, Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were arrested; Fernandez was arrested for felony child endangerment while Aguirre was arrested for attempted murder. She Pleaded Guilty to First-Degree Murder & Murder Involving Torture in 2018. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. When first responders arrived, they found him on the ground naked with several injuries. Where is Pearl Fernandez Now? Ultimately, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and guilty of the circumstances of torture charges. The judge said as part of her initial plea, Pearl had waived all of her rights and said she understood the consequences of her plea. jsTikTok.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? He pled not guilty; however, the jury found him guilty and recommended he be sentenced to death, which was accepted by Superior Court Judge George G. Pearl also threatened to stab Contreras once and faced a domestic violence charge for that. He passed away two days later on May 24, 2013, at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles. [26] On December 11, 2017 jury deliberation began for the sentencing phase. ", "Grandfather Testifies About Having to Give Boy's Custody Back to His Accused Killers", "The Heartbreaking Story Behind Netflix's Documentary Series 'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez', "Everything to Know About Gabriel Fernandez's Tragic Abuse Case Examined in Netflix Docuseries", "After 2 suspected homophobic killings, audit finds broader issues with L.A. child welfare", "Boy's alleged abuse described in graphic grand jury testimony", "Malnourished boy found dead in Echo Park closet was subject of earlier child abuse reports, LAPD says", "What happened to Gabriel Fernandez's grandparents? Although Pearl claims to have been abused by Aguirre too, Carranza states that she abused him, punching and scratching Aguirre. She also commented that throughout his three-year employment he was patient and loving, and would commonly change the diapers of elderly residents at the facility. In her plea deal, Pearl accepted that the killing of her son Gabriel was intentional and involved the infliction of torture. The torture inflicted on young Gabriel over several months will bring anyone to tears. Prosecutor Jon Hatami called Aguirre "pure evil" and argued that he deserved the death penalty even though it "doesn't even compare to what he did to Gabriel. Pearl Fernandez agreed to plead guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. The convictions arejust the latest on the 38-year-olds rap sheet, which also includes prior convictions for evading a peace officer while driving recklessly, using a controlled substance while in possession of a loaded firearm, second-degree robbery, possessing paraphernalia, drugs or alcohol in prison and assaulting a fellow inmate with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, according to information provided by the Department of Corrections. While those claims cant be verified for credibility, we do know that Pearl is still alive and in prison. But after he was released on parole in 2016, he reached out to Hatami and the two men were able to establish a bond with one another. Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre were convicted of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of intentional murder by torture in June 2018. In 2018, she pled guilty to first-degree murderand murder involving torture. Netflix Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre started abusing Gabriel soon after he entered their home. A woman named Yvette Garcia, who claims to have been serving time at Central California Women's Facility when Pearl was sentenced, shared details of the alleged assault on TikTok. [28] Garcia continued to see signs of child abuse such as a fat lip, pieces of hair missing. Pearls family was sympathetic to her plight. Is Stephanie Grisham Related to John Grisham? Walking out of there, with finally some justice for Gabriel, was the best feeling that weve had in such a long time, she said. I can tell you that he [Contreras] loved Gabriel and he still loves him, prosecutor Jon Hatami said in the series. Later when Fernandez reported to his teacher that he was shot in the face with a BB gun by his mother, she again informed social services of the new sign of abuse. Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli rejected the application. It should be noted that Garcias prison records cant be found. While the true-crime docuseries breaks down exactly what happened to the 8-year-old boy, viewers also want to know what happened to his mom after his death. Isauro Aguirre, also known as Tony Aguirre, was born on June 13, 1980. Arnold Contreras couldnt save his eight-year-old son Gabriel Fernandez.When the young boy was being beaten and eventually tortured to death by his mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, Contreras was behind bars. Ex-coworker Sherline Mille, who also worked for Woodland Park Retirement Hotel, noted that while Aguirre was driving residents he would often drive them the scenic route so they could get to see views other than the freeway. They were equally culpable for that.. So they naturally believe their family members are eligible to be released from prison, he said. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Hatami told Oxygen.com that he still remains in contact with Contreras as well as Gabriels siblings, cousins, uncles and other relatives. Twenty-nine days before Fernandez's death, Arturo Miranda Martinez, a security guard at a Los Angeles County Welfare Office, noticed extensive injuries on Fernandez's body, which prompted him to call 9-1-1, risking his job to report the injuries to sheriffs. His fall and resurgence, How did Curious George die? Every day I wish that Id made better choices. Lila Seidman is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times yearlong initiative exploring various facets of mental health. Unsure of what would happen, Kiyomura entered the courtroom with a sickening feeling.. Such as a child But now I 'm Facing My Fears Head-On Arnold Contreras couldnt save his eight-year-old son was! Became pregnant with Gabriel related: There is An Alleged Serial Killer on the Loose in California to! 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