Gabriel Fernandez Docu-series brings Justice to Betrayed Boy
Illustration by Dana Binfet.
Streaming giant Netflix has released their most heartbreaking true crime series yet. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a limited six-part series that explores the life and death of eight-year old Palmdale boy, Gabriel Fernandez. Fernandez's mother, Pearl Fernandez, tortured and killed him, with the help of her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre.
Filmmaker Brian Knappenberger’s limited series offers incredible insight into the case for those that are not familiar with Gabriel’s story, from the emotional interviews with family members, friends, and district attorneys, to the appalling testimonials recorded in court. Adding to the devastation of Fernandez's death is the constant neglect of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The falsified documents of Gabriel's case astound and terrify.
The series opens up like an episode of ER. “My son’s not breathing," Pearl Fernandez said to the 911 operator. Cut to the emotional interview from nurse Christine Estes, who was deeply affected by Gabriel’s death when he was taken to the ER. Her recount of the severity of his injuries is powerful, giving a peek at the emotional rollercoaster the audience is about to endure in the six part series.
The silver lining of the devastating documentary is the introduction of the ever-compassionate deputy district attorney, Jon Hatami. From the moment he was assigned, Hatami poured dedication and emotion into justice for young Fernandez. There was no doubt in his mind: he believed that he was meant to take on this case. His own experiences help him empathize with victims. "I can never, like, compare anything that happened to me, to any of my cases, including Gabriel. But at least a little bit of what I've been through, I could have some understanding.” Hatami's goal is to, “fight for the kids who couldn’t fight for themselves.”
Netflix does not shy away from exposing the dark side of humanity with their original, award-winning documentaries. “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” is gut-wrenching, riveting, and overwhelming. The series differs from others like “The Keepers” and the “Ted Bundy Tapes,” as it hits more close home for the people who live here in LA County. Trigger warning for the abused. Viewers can also expect to be pulled in as they are taken on a timeline of Gabriel’s early life, the systematic progression of the torture he endured, and the trial of the People v. Isauro Aguirre.
“Trials” dives deep into the failure of DCFS and the process of bringing Fernandez's mother and Aguirre to justice. District Attorney Jackie Lacey goes in with full force to prosecute the social workers that were assigned to Gabriel's case. She believed from the beginning that there was a strong case against them as it was revealed that they did not follow up with calls from Gabriel's teacher, and family, "There are affirmative things that they did to keep that kid in an abusive environment and it was quite frankly, foreseeable that kid was going to die."
It’s an unforgettable case that brought tears and outrage to the Palmdale community, parents, and to social workers. In the lingering aftermath of Gabriel’s death it is important to remember that, unfortunately, there are many children like him whose stories might never be told.
