Mother, Boyfriend Sentenced For Torture-Murder of 8-Year-Old Gabriel Fernandez

The mother of Gabriel Fernandez and her boyfriend were sentenced today for torturing and murdering her 8-year-old son in 2013, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Pearl Sinthia Fernandez (dob 8/29/83) was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, while Isauro Aguirre (dob 6/13/80) was sentenced to death by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George Lomeli.

“This case showed how evil can not only inflict lasting damage to those who loved Gabriel but our society as well,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey. “The horrific nature of Gabriel’s abuse and murder has been seared into our minds and the defendants will now spend the rest of their lives in prison for their reprehensible actions.”

In February, Fernandez pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and admitted the special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture. A jury found Aguirre guilty of first-degree murder in November 2017. The special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture was found to be true.

The pair severely abused Gabriel for months leading up to the boy’s death on May 22, 2013. Gabriel was frequently beaten by Aguirre because he believed the boy was gay.

Gabriel suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured skull, 12 broken ribs and burns, prosecutors said. The boy also had been forced to eat cat feces and slept bound and gagged inside a small cabinet.

Deputy District Attorneys Jon Hatami and Scott Yang prosecuted the case.

“We would like to thank the jury for their tireless work and dedication in this case,” the prosecutors said. “We hope that the verdicts bring a sense of justice for Gabriel, his family and the community.”

Case BA425180 was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims and Homicide bureaus.

Source : LA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE