PALMDALE –A 29-year-old Palmdale mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend were charged Tuesday with one count each of murder with a special circumstance of torture in the deadly beating of the woman’s 8-year-old son.
Pearl Fernandez and Isauro Aguirre made their first appearance in an Antelope Valley courtroom Tuesday afternoon, but their arraignment was postponed.
As the judge ordered the couple held without bail, the packed courtroom broke into applause. Many in the audience said they came in support of Gabriel, the 8-year-old boy allegedly tortured to death by the couple.
Fernandez admitted to being present while her boyfriend abused her son in their Palmdale apartment in the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10, according to sheriff’s officials.
Gabriel died on Friday (May 24), two days after he was hospitalized with a fractured skull, cracked ribs, burns and bruises throughout his body.
“A sweet little innocent child took that abuse and that torture for so long. It angers me inside and it’s nothing I can do about it,” said Victoria Bishop. “All that I can do is just show up here for support cause I don’t want a situation like this to be swept under the rug.”
“They say it takes a village to raise a child, where’s the village? Where were the protectors of this baby?” said Shari Martin of the Antelope Valley Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children.
Since Gabriel’s death, family members, a teacher and neighbors have said that they reported the abuse to authorities before it culminated in death.
The case has angered the community, with many residents believing that authorities did not do enough to protect the child. On Monday, dozens of family members and supporters staged a “Justice of Gabriel” protest outside of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
County Supervisor Michael Antonovich has said that he will launch an investigation into how the Department of Children and Family Services handled the case. There will also be an internal investigation into how the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station handled at least three calls for service at the family’s home, according to Palmdale Station Captain Don Ford.
Fernandez and Aguirre are due back in court on June 11 for a scheduled arraignment on the capital murder charges. Prosecutors will decide at a later date whether to seek the death penalty, officials said.
Previous related stories:
Justice for Gabriel protest, teacher speaks out
Palmdale boy dies after abuse, mother and boyfriend arrested
Jackie says
The kids are not to blame they werr suffering as well there was no phone them to reach im sure they were scared. Sad he had to sufferr the way he did poor baby but im happy because the lord took straight to live peace and his home were he always belonged I will pray for his family!
amanda says
If i was in jail i would beat the [removed] out of her .she looks like she was on meth her man he loos like a monster
Patricia Hayden says
What about his siblings? They did nothing to help him. I am sure they could have called the sheriffs. This poor child died while his mother watched along with the other children. They would have had to throw me out of their house if I knew this child and his situation.
sikntired says
They are kids.They are under the control of these two demons.
Sonia says
I was kid too at ten years old and I called the cops on my dad when he used to beat up my mom…the entire family could have done more for this poor child. His grandparents, teachers and aunts and uncles cry out now, but if they all seen what was going on and no one helping, they should have taken it in their own hands and beat the crap out of that evil man and that demon mother! If my sister did that to her children, I would kidnap her kids and beat her, even if it meant that I went to jail!
Think Again says
Teachers, neighbors, and friends all called the authorities and nothing was done. I think you putting this on the siblings is ridiculous. What could they have done? They saw the authorities coming in and out of the house and not helping. What would they be expected to do? Call again and get beaten themselves? Please. Think before you post next time.
Gabriel says
I feel no remorse 4 any abuse that comes to Pearl Fernandez & her boyfriend @ the hands of the inmates when they get to them. They both deserve to be tortured 100 times over for what they did to 8 year old Gabriel Fernandez. As a parent of 5 children & my youngest being named Gabriel just as I, I am outraged over this case! Gabriel Fernandez voice needs to be heard from the public as he is no longer with us. Do not let his death be in vain. These 2 animals need to be given the harshest punishment the court system can hand down! Before they r sentenced & meet there final destination ( the electric chair ) these two animals need to experience years of torture in prison so they can see & feel what they put innocent 8 year old Gabriel Fernandez through. Maybe by them being tortured themselves they will better understand how wrong & painful what the did to 8 year old Gabriel Fernandez was. As for the families of these 2 animals, b4 u come out publicly & defend these 2 animals u should stand up & speak up for 8 year old Gabriel Fernandez. If u didnt stand up & speak for him when he was here now is your chance to make up for not helping him when he needed you most! ” JUSTICE FOR GABRIEL FERNANDEZ! “
lulu belle says
Gabriel is not the first and sadly won’t be the last. Right now Today there are children just like Gabriel who are being beaten and tortured by their parents, boyfriend or girlfriend of the parent. Perhaps, now with this horrible story in everyone’s mind the adults will do something to prevent death to another child. Gabriel may have given his life in order for others to be saved. Don’t turn a blind eye, be aware, report, do something right away. Yes it was reported no one did anything, well make a change in that today. If you know of anyone who is treating their children worse than a stray dog, Yell Gabriel loudly and make yourself heard. Let’s stop this child abuse one child at a time. People camp out in front of convicted child abusers homes, why not do the same for a parent known not suspected to abuse their child? Not sure if it is still true, but at one time the AV was listed as the child abuse city in LA county. Killing children has been going on for a long time in this valley…
Jay says
I was just looking at the police station that monkey looking is in and I was looking at the google reviews on the Lynwood station and people say the food is good and it’s like a hotel.omg I also noticed that’s were many famous people are sent to jail.so far seems like a walk in the park for the monster.this is gotta be protested.she needs to be let loose to the general population.
Bert says
All u people who are speaking against the teacher and family need to gather your coins and buy a clue! This especially includes you Carrie rhodehouse!
Erika says
She is going to get what is coming to her. They will both rot in hell she only had the kids for the welfare what a pathetic piece of crap. RIP Precious angel u are no longer suffering I am sorry that the system failed you.
liz says
I need to know what school he attended this way I can make sure my nieces do NOT go there. The teachers are at fault here, too! R.I.P. Lil Angel
Letlow says
Your comment doesn’t make any sense. His teacher tried everything she could. Exhibit A: https://www.theavtimes.com/2013/05/27/justice-for-gabriel-protest-teacher-speaks-out/
liz says
…and what did Administration do? The school has a Principal, an Asst Principal, a secretary, a coach, etc etc etc. The Sheriff would have been mad and/or tired of me because I would have been at the station demanding a visit to the house to have him removed. I understand his worry regarding his mom finding out she’s getting busted, maybe by him, but there were too many people around for this to happen. Sad to say, this happens more than we know. Trust me, I was in that environment at one point. I think that’s why I’m so passionate about this. =…[
adriana says
I don’t understand how they did this to this little angel!! I cannot believe the authorities did not step in and how whoever was handling this case did not rescue this little boy. I hope these monsters rot in hell and as for the sheriff’s department and the people handling this case who did nothing to stop the abuse to this boy I hope there’s consequences for them too. Family members and neighbors knew about this going on why didn’t they rescue this baby too!! So much for a Village helping to raise the child. May this little angel rest in peace <3 no more suffering for you little angel, you'll be safe in heaven.
Christina says
Unfortunatley she’s in protective custody so she’s protected.
Unknown 1 says
I’m a father of two beautiful young daughters and I cannot imagine doing any child any harm do to the love I have for my girls. All I can say when I hear about this case is I pray that they place him on main yard or forget to lock his cell, like one of my clients tells me that is a prison gaurd at a correctional facility. Rest In Peace little Angel
Disgusted says
Why is it that recently every time you hear cases like this it is always some dead beet mom that allows their scumbag boyfriend to abuse their children. If you are a single mother please take your time to look for a quality, loving and supportive man who can be an example for your children. Don’t bring every MOE, DICK and HARRY around your kid. Get to know them first and bring them around your children only when you are positive they are good people and the relationship is serious. I know even in these cases bad things happen but not as often. It must be frustrating for these kids to deal with their moms jerk boyfriends. There are quality single men in this world, there is no need to settle for a dirt bag. But then again, I think a good man would look at this woman and go the opposite direction. I am not one to judge others if I do not know their situation but in this case there really is no excuse. This is pure evil. Poor baby. Such a handsome little boy.
SickOfTheAV says
It’s amazing…The state of California requires you to take a written test in order to drive a car but any complete moron can become a parent. DCFS and Sheriffs had an obligation to protect this child once the abuse was reported and yet nothing was done to help this little boy. If I was this childs neighbor, I would’ve hidden him in my home to protect him from those two scum and kept him until until a responsible government agency intervened. The mother and her boyfriend both deserve the death penalty. Why waste taxpayers money with a trial. These two scum are obviously guilty and they should go straight to the front of the line on death row. RIP Gabriel.
angrymother says
THROW THEM TO THE LIONS IN PRISON…LET THEM TEAR THEM APART ALIVE!!! THOSE TWO ARE GUNNA GET IT!! HOPE THEY R [removed] IN THEIR PANTS. AND TO THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT…DONT DO THOSE TWO A FAVOR AND PC THEM UP!!!! LET THEM ROTTT!!!!
tanya says
I hope those two horrible monster get what they deserve Hopefully they rot in hell For what they done to the little angel i feel so sad just hearing what happen to him he didnt deserve that life at all now his in heaven better there than in their hands now he cant suffer no more
R.I.P little man .. An angel from heaven You will be in my prayers..
Samantha says
The mother/monster’s ovaries should be taken out without any anesthetic. She should not be allowed to have any more children. As a mother my first instinct is to protect my child. How she could have stood by and let the abuse occur is beyond human comprehension. Death is too good for these two, they should be tortured – and feel every ounce of pain that this poor boy suffered at their hands. Where were all these family members during all this time that he was being abused?! It’s so easy to blame DCFS, (and I’m not suggesting that they’re blameless) but the relatives should have done something. There is no more American justice, especially for these lost children if their suffering and screams were ignored by an entire community. Let this poor boy not have died in vain. Let us try and change how we handle violence against children, especially at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them first and foremost.
Johnny Trece says
I wonder if Aguirre runs Paisa or Sur? And if there’s any possibility of him getting PC while under custody?
Christina says
You already know he’s PC automatically
Carlos Madera says
Lthis kid reminds me of oscar de la hoya when he was young sorry gabriel i wish i could of odopted you you would of ben in great hands rip little champ
gonetoosoon says
I wonder how any of those people involved in this case can live with themselves now…
A decent person would not let this happen…or die trying to stop it…
Hope someone is able to get in and see them, and let them know just what we think about the scum that they are.
Wish I could go there and tell them myself!!
R.I.P. Little one, your suffering is finally over.
Jessica says
GIVE THEM DEATH!!! THAT’S ALL THEY DESERVE DEATH POOR BABY CPS WORKERS GET PAID TO SIT ON THERE ASSES ALL DAY AND DO NOTHING…I READ IN ANOTHER ARTICLE THAT THE PARENTS OF AGUIRRE DIDNT BELIEVE HE COULD DO THAT TO A CHILD THAT HE’S INNOCENT SHAME ON YOU YOUR SON COUSIN BROTHER WHATEVER HE IS ADMITTED THAT HE BEAT AND TORTURED HIM I HOPE THEY RAPE AND TORTURE AND KILL HIM IN JAIL
may29 says
I know your angry, but think about the little boy, I don’t think he would want any of that to happen to his parents. There going to get punished don’t worry.
Christina says
WTF???????????
carol says
You can’t call those pieces of [removed] ‘Parents’， i hope they get raped and beaten in jail,
gina cavezza says
My heart is broken. I can’t believe someone can do this
awful awful and disgusting act of torture and murder on this little boy.
I cried for 10 minutes just watching his face on the news last night. Please give those two animals the electric chair.!!!!!!!!!!
AVfubar says
It’s hard to imagine what could possess anyone to make a child’s life a living hell, let alone torture and beat them to death. The only thing it could possibly be is pure EVIL. I hope those 2 fry for what they have done to an innocent little soul who was unlucky enough to be born to that poor excuse for a woman or a mother.
justbeingreal says
That’s right, give them the Death penalty, although that’s to good for these two POS, they should be tortured slowly and make them suffer as they did to Gabriel.
cheryl ross says
She needed a tough guy in her bed so bad to allow this to happen to her child – she belongs in Pelican Bay. Let those tough guys take care of her there. He shouldn’t even make it to jail
nadia says
Good old Karma will get these two murderers. Since this is highly publicized, the inmate’s in both County and State prisons already know about these 2. I don’t feel sorry for what fate awaits these horrible monsters. Why a woman would take in a boyfriend that abuses her children is puzzling? No matter how desperate one is to have a mate (female or male); one should think of the children first. However, too many women and men settle for the losers. But in this case the mother is just as bad. I watched the grandparents interview, and it made me sick that the system failed them too.
I hope that Gabriel gets a descent burial soon. I also hope and pray that the DCFS employees that have been placed on desk duty and currently being investigated go to jail also. The Palmdale Sheriff is guilty of not intervening; they are more concerned with the banning of marijuana dispensaries than the safety of children.
R.I.P. little angel Gabriel.
charlene says
it makes me sick, its sad but no surprise to ME that the system ONCE AGAIN FAILED ANOTHER CHILD. SO DOES THIS MEAN THAT THOSE THAT FAILED TO DO THIER JOB AND REMOVE GABRIEL FROM HIS HOME GET CHARGED AS WELL. ITS PATHETIC WHAT IS OUR SYSTEM THINKING. THEY ARE QUICK TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM A DECENT HOME FOR FALSE ACCUSATIONS BUT WHAT ABOUT THE THE REAL VICTIMS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE. THEY NEED TO HIRE THOSE THAT LOVE DOING THIER JOB AND NOT THOSE THAT ARE LAZY AND UNEDUCATED. HOW CAN ALL THESE PEOPLE OVER LOOK THE SIGNS AND BEHAVIERS OF AN ABUSED CHILD.ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF IS THEY ARE UNEDUCATED IN THAT FIELD
may29 says
I heard someone say they know a social worker that does Meth, so they are not all good ethical people working in the DCFS office. They probably got this guy to do something for them and in return didn’t take his kids away.
Notagain says
TO THE BOYFRIEND! PINCHE CARA DE NOPAL!! YOULL GET WHAT’S COMING TO YOU IN JAIL! SOMEONE YOUR SIZE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! GOOD LUCK!!
AVcares says
To both..The Mother and the Boyfriend….I just hope your faces are known in the jails you’ll be spending time in…
Be afraid…be very afraid…just like little Gabriel was.
What goes around, comes around!!!
Newman says
Those MF!! Scum of the Earth. Burn in Hell!
T-Bone says
Death Penalty!!
A sad mother says
I hope they never see the light of day….they deserve to be in there for the rest of there lifes!!!!
Sad father says
It’s possible they will never get out; but the unfortunate part is they will receive 3 square meals a day with room and board for the rest of there lifes, benefit of us tax payers who work to raise there own families.
somewhere says
it’s sad and angers me how no one no one not even neighbors help this child also im not surprised about dcfs when something is really happening in a home they dont listen but when a false accusation from a vendictive neighbor or somebody else comes in they are on it like a wild pack of dogs ,why they didnt do the same for little gabriel????????they even make up lies to remove childrens from the parents sometimes because they dont want to admit a mistake but when they where really needed they were MIA
may29 says
IM TELLING YOU THAT IT HAD TO BE AN INSIDE JOB.
John Doe says
Its one of worst cases Ive heard of. But this confirms that Palmdale and Lancaster have poor resources to help victims. I lived in Los Angeles where i felt resources were available and case workers would take immediate action.The court house,county buildings, state and most government building in the antelope valley treat people like trash. Therefore, the community does not report incidents when they occur.Also people in the poorer parts of Palmdale or Lancaster have this thing “Snitches get Stiches”. With that ideology nothing good will come of it. These two loser’s will have to explain to God why they killed one of gods angels. We need quality case workers. not the ones that let things fly’