GUILTY CA - Gabriel Fernandez, 8, tortured to death, Palmdale, 22 May 2013

[LaborDayRN]

RSBM

Thanks for keeping us up to date on this case.

You're quite welcome. I wish I had more info to share. The media seems to have moved on to other stories.

 

[LaborDayRN]

A Los Angeles County supervisor who oversaw the social worker involved in the case of Gabriel Fernandez, allegedly tortured and abused while under the guidance of the county child welfare system, may get his job back after having been fired.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/County-Worker-Gabriel-Fernandez-299111501.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

Testimony also showed he relied on the experienced case worker assigned to Gabriel's family for information. Following a 30-minute meeting, Merritt took the word of the social worker who did not give all the facts of what was happening in Gabriels' home.
Merritt's representative in the case, V. Jesse Smith, wrote in a closing brief that if he was negligent, it wasn't because he was lazy or disinterested but "because he was overworked, understaffed and underappreciated."

:gaah:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/County-Worker-Gabriel-Fernandez-299111501.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

A Department of Children and Family Services supervisor fired after the 2013 beating death of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy is close to getting his job back.

L.A. County’s civil service commission issued their proposed decision this week to reinstate Gregory Merritt, despite the determination by child welfare chief Philip Browning that he had “egregiously” missed multiple opportunities to save Gabriel Fernandez.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-social-worker-fired-20150409-story.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

The boy’s mother and boyfriend are awaiting trial on charges of capital murder and a special circumstance of torture. They have pleaded not guilty.

The pair allegedly beat Gabriel to death after dousing him with pepper spray, forcing him to eat his own vomit and locking him in a cabinet with a sock stuffed in his mouth to muffle his screams, according to court records. Detectives who searched the family's apartment found a wooden club covered in Gabriel’s blood.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-social-worker-fired-20150409-story.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

A key responsibility of supervising social workers is to review case notes. According to a brief by DCFS lawyers in support of Merritt’s firing, he knew from her performance evaluations that Clement sometimes did not complete her required visits and did not document them properly. By her own account, Clement had failed to interview Gabriel privately, as called for by department guidelines.

She and Merritt also were aware that the boy had written a suicide note and had a BB gun pellet embedded in his chest. Yet he was not sent for medical treatment or mental health assessment, the lawyers said.

Browning fired Merritt, Clement and two other social workers over the case; Merritt appealed.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-social-worker-fired-20150409-story.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

bumping for anyone who would like an update on Gabriel's case.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Family members and supporters of an 8-year-old boy who died after being tortured and abused allegedly by his mother and her boyfriend while under the guidance of the county child welfare system are fighting to reverse a decision that could reinstate a county employee on whose watch the death occurred.
Gabriel Fernandez supporters from around the world are writing letters to the County Supervisors and the Civil Service Commission with the hope of reversing a decision to reinstate the LA County employee who oversaw the social worker involved in Gabriel's case.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/l...-299773871.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_LABrand

 

[LaborDayRN]

:happydance:

A proposed $27-billion budget to be released next week calls for 542 additional child-welfare worker positions, on top of 450 social workers hired last year to settle a strike by social workers, according to plans obtained by The Times. This year's hiring would cost $66.9 million.

http://www.latimes.com/local/countygovernment/la-me-0411-social-workers-20150411-story.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

:bump: Back to page one Gabriel!

 

[believe09]

Being overworked and understaffed and relying on a more experienced worker to provide you with information doesnt trump the capital torture murder of a child. Underappreciated-are you kidding me? An attorney had the nerve to say that given the circumstances of this child's death??

Why does he want to come back? What is he actually fighting for? Not the kids who are in the system-he has proven that he isnt good at that job and his management skills led to the horrific death of Gabriel.

Is there a pension in play here? I am at a loss. He will always be that guy. He will always be the man who could have saved this child where so many others had failed him. He was the guy where the buck stopped in this case and he blew it. It isnt like mismanaging a bank account...his failure dotted lined to a child murder.

He will always draw negative attention. His name is synonomous with this case. I assume he will have to testify at the trials...why would he drag his coworkers into this over and over again because he will always be in the spotlight for being just that inept?

I dont understand it. Then again, Gabriel's case turns me inside out.

 

[believe09]

In addition, the supervisor had a unblemished career in nearly 24 years with the DCFS, a fact the hearing officer pointed to when he recommended suspension.

My money is on him wanting his pension. I bet it is just that simple.

 

[SCHMAE]

I think social workers need some type of classes or 'continuing education' ( maybe they do ? ) in psychology. I think they need to be able to interview these parents with a little bit of insight into who's lying, who's acting nervous, who's not behaving normally , etc. Do they do that? I mean even LEO's have a little understanding when a person is outright lying to them or behaving suspiciously or withholding information.
When you ask parents how things are going and they're abusing their children, none are going to say that. So do they just write down' mom says no abuse' and walk out the door ?

 

[believe09]

What makes me crazy in Gabriel's case was that Merritt had a case file in his hand showing photos of Gabriel having been shot in the face with a BB gun. This is undisputed-Merritt is looking for a payoff, right or wrong. jmvho.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Being overworked and understaffed and relying on a more experienced worker to provide you with information doesnt trump the capital torture murder of a child. Underappreciated-are you kidding me? An attorney had the nerve to say that given the circumstances of this child's death??

An OBSCENE comment, I agree!

Why does he want to come back? What is he actually fighting for? Not the kids who are in the system-he has proven that he isnt good at that job and his management skills led to the horrific death of Gabriel.

If I were him, I would want to be as far from the public eye as possible. I can't even wrap my head around what he is thinking.

Is there a pension in play here? I am at a loss. He will always be that guy. He will always be the man who could have saved this child where so many others had failed him. He was the guy where the buck stopped in this case and he blew it. It isnt like mismanaging a bank account...his failure dotted lined to a child murder.

I couldn't agree more.

He will always draw negative attention. His name is synonomous with this case. I assume he will have to testify at the trials...why would he drag his coworkers into this over and over again because he will always be in the spotlight for being just that inept?

I dont understand it. Then again, Gabriel's case turns me inside out.

Gabriel story has broken my heart from day one. It seems like it's taking a life time for the trial of these two monsters to start.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I think social workers need some type of classes or 'continuing education' ( maybe they do ? ) in psychology. I think they need to be able to interview these parents with a little bit of insight into who's lying, who's acting nervous, who's not behaving normally , etc. Do they do that? I mean even LEO's have a little understanding when a person is outright lying to them or behaving suspiciously or withholding information.
When you ask parents how things are going and they're abusing their children, none are going to say that. So do they just write down' mom says no abuse' and walk out the door ?

I imagine there are some required classes that these folks take. What is so shocking to me is all the reports that were called in to DCFS. His teacher called many many times. She reported physical injuries as well as emotional. I will never understand.

 

[LaborDayRN]

What makes me crazy in Gabriel's case was that Merritt had a case file in his hand showing photos of Gabriel having been shot in the face with a BB gun. This is undisputed-Merritt is looking for a payoff, right or wrong. jmvho.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I believe he's looking for a payout to "go away". IMO.....HE should be facing charges as well.

 

[LaborDayRN]

According to the Gabriel's Justice Facebook page, there is a pretrial hearing tomorrow. A group of people are going to show support for Gabriel. I'm saddened by the fact that I can't find anything about the hearing in local news.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Gabriel Fernandez supporters from around the world are writing letters to the County Supervisors and the Civil Service Commission with the hope of reversing a decision to reinstate the LA County employee who oversaw the social worker involved in Gabriel's case.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/l...-Continue-to-Fight-for-Justice-299773871.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

According to the Gabriel's Justice Facebook page, the hearing was again extended until July 1st. I'll look for MSM confirmation of that.