On February 26, 2018, a new Netflix series was released. The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is about a boy that was mentally and physically abused by his mother and step father. He lived with his grandmother, because his mother didn’t want him at the time. Years later she had a boyfriend and all of a sudden wanted the young boy, including the other children. As an eight year old boy, he was tortured and beat. Gabriel would wear girl clothing, because his step father would tell him he was gay. He would put words into his mind and make him believe crazy things. He would disappear for a couple days or even weeks. Then, he'd come back with bruises, black eyes, and marks around wrist/neck. Many people at school explained that they were healing. The scars that he’d come with weren’t recent. Therefore, many knew he was abused at home, and he didn’t come to school because the parents didn’t want anyone to find out. Teachers, families, and friends talked to social workers to stop this. Unfortunately, they (Kevin Bom, Gregory Merritt, Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement) sat back. Some say they didn’t believe the child, while others say they were just thinking. Either way, they didn’t do anything about it, and Gabreil isn’t here with us anymore. He passed away May 22, 2013 after 8 months of abuse. When the paramedics arrived at his house he had already stopped breathing, along with a fractured skull.
The stepfather received first degree murder. The social workers that had Gabriel’s case were accused of child abuse and falsification of records. These were thrown out by another court case, because others disagreed. At court someone stated, “Although there may be consequences to social workers who fail to fulfill the consequences do not include criminal liability for child abuse.” The mother’s trial was postponed. It doesn’t state what she was accused with, other than a charge for capital murder.
To watch the documentary go to Netflix. To read more click here.
Do you think the social workers should’ve gotten charged or even sent to jail?
I think that the social workers should’ve been charged but not go to jail. I think they acted foolish, because they didn’t protect the boy. I don’t think they’re any excuses that they didn’t take Gabriel and the siblings away from the stepfather.
Would you watch The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez? Why or why not?
Yes, I like to watch sad stories. I think it would be hard to watch though because of the actions they did to him.
Replies
Grat job Laney!
No I probably would not watch the series because I don't like sad stories and I agree I would be very hard to watch and see what they did to Gabriel. I think that the social workers should be punished in some way because in a way they knew something was going on and yet did nothing about it.
They did sit back and basically watch. Gabriel is now dead because they didn't do anything to help him. Hopefully they understand and take thier job seriously. Also, the series would be pretty sad. I like that kind of stuff though. It would be hard to watch a documentary about a child's life. If this didn't happen he would be in school and learning. He would be making friends, and making memories. This won't happen, because his parents are horrible people and no one helped him.
I think that the social workers should be charged in some way because they purposefully ignored a child in need and due to that a child is dead so they should be charged with aiding and abetting. I am not really intrested in watching the movie. Although, I do find it intresting I dont see myself watching the movie.
Yes, I totally agree! They did ignore this child, and they can't just walk away from it. I believe they should be charged with something as well. They should've worked hard to fight for Gabriel's life. They are getting paid for this too.
Well, that's depressing. I don't think the social workers should have charges pressed on them, it may have been a mistake, but that being said I have absolutely zero clue about everything that happened; they may have been the key contributors. But if it was an honest mistake I think they should at most lose all possible chance at being social workers anymore. And while this is an interesting story, I don't think I could stomach watching that documentary.
I don't think this could be a mistake, but I could be wrong. I think it was very clear that things at home weren't going well. The poor child had bruises and makr all over his body. The least they could've done was take him to the hospital to get him check out.
I think that they should have gotten charges. I pay my taxes to pay their paychecks, so they better start doing their job. The problem is that everyone complains in modern society, so that is probably why they did not believe the child. I might watch the documentary, but I do not really have many plans to do so.
I disagree with your statement. Yes, they could've thought he was complaining and acting like a child. However, if a child goes missing for a week and comes back with bruises, there's something wrong going on. The child didn't even live with his mother at the start of his life. I feel the social workers should've looked into this and researched. They would find that there was history, and there may be something to this.
I think the social workers should be charged because they had a choice to listen but they didn't and that could've saved the boy from death. I think I would watch the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez because it sounds interesting and I like documentaries.
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