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

[LietKynes]

Counselor testified she didn’t report suspected abuse to authorities before Gabriel Fernandez was killed - Los Angeles Times

The death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez in 2013 was a notorious failure of Los Angeles County’s safety net to protect abused and neglected children. The case prompted criminal charges against four child protective services caseworkers and a deep examination of systemic breakdowns.
Now, the recent death of another boy from alleged abuse is focusing attention on a prominent contractor that is paid millions of dollars by the county for child welfare services.
Those records are not public but could be obtained by the defense through court motions, he noted.
In 2017, Dixon testified at a preliminary hearing for the four case workers who have been charged with child abuse and falsification of records for their alleged misconduct in Gabriel's case. The testimony followed negotiations with Los Angeles County prosecutors who offered her immunity from prosecution related to her testimony. That case is still ongoing.
Dixon testified that during her 2013 sessions, she went to Gabriel’s home and found him limping, with a black eye, scrapes across his face and bruising on his wrists and ankles. She said she initially believed the family’s story that he fell from a bike. But after going on a walk and speaking with Gabriel, she came to doubt that account, she testified.
Dixon testified that her boss at Hathaway, Michael Bailey, did not want her to report the abuse. Dixon added that she complied. Child abuse investigators never learned about the injuries she saw while he was alive, DCFS records show. Dixon also testified that her supervisors at Hathaway told her not to cooperate with police investigating his death. Bailey did not respond to messages seeking comment. ..."


This was a lengthy article and I believe I posted roughly 10 %.
So heartbreaking and I am furious that a company being paid millions cannot protect even one child !

 

[cvaldez1975]

Here's a good article on the caseworkers.

An 8-Year-Old Was Brutally Abused for Months. Why Did No One Save Him?

This was an excellent, if heartbreaking, read. Oh Gabriel, Pearl didn’t deserve your Mother’s Dsy card baby.

 

[cvaldez1975]

Yes, it was a long article. Sounds like his teacher sure did want to help him. I feel sorry for her.

She had to tell her class

 

[Niner]

Thursday, March 7th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom (Bloom) charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
9/13/18 Update: A Los Angeles County judge on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss child abuse and other charges against four social workers in the killing of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, concluding that the Palmdale boy’s death had been “foreseeable.” Judge Lomeli said the social workers had not properly documented the abuse nor the mother’s repeated refusal to attend counseling. The judge said he had reviewed the voluminous case files and noted that the defendants had overruled a scoring system set up to detect danger to children. The defendants demonstrated “an improper regard for human life” and “a lack of vigilance,” Lomeli said.
9/13/18 Update: Next Pretrial conference for all on 10/24. 10/24/18: Next pretrial hearing set for 11/27 for Merritt, Bom, Rodriguez & Clement. 11/27/18: Next Pretrial hearing on 1/8/19 for all.
1/8/19 Update: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Rodriguez & Clement on 3/7.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

 

[Niner]

For all EXCEPT Rodriguez:

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
April 11, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[bleuboy]

I really feel that Barbara Dixon, who testified against the 4 up on charges should also be charged with the same crimes. She got immunity in Gabriel's case but it looks like she failed in Anthony avalos case too if I'm reading the long article above incorrectly.
After failing Gabriel did she then be allowed to carry on in that same job to fail Anthony too? I haven't read up fully on Anthony yet but will do now.

 

[Niner]

Thursday, April 11th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
9/13/18 Update: A Los Angeles County judge on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss child abuse and other charges against four social workers in the killing of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, concluding that the Palmdale boy’s death had been “foreseeable.” Judge Lomeli said the social workers had not properly documented the abuse nor the mother’s repeated refusal to attend counseling. The judge said he had reviewed the voluminous case files and noted that the defendants had overruled a scoring system set up to detect danger to children. The defendants demonstrated “an improper regard for human life” and “a lack of vigilance,” Lomeli said.
9/13/18 Update: Next Pretrial conference for all on 10/24. 10/24/18: Next pretrial hearing set for 11/27 for Merritt, Bom, Rodriguez & Clement. 11/27/18: Next Pretrial hearing on 1/8/19 for all.
1/8/19 Update: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Rodriguez & Clement on 3/7.
3/7/19 Update: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Clement & Rdriguez on 4/11.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

 

[Niner]

for all

Upcoming Scheduled Events

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
May 13, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[Niner]

Monday, May 13th:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
9/13/18 Update: A Los Angeles County judge on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss child abuse and other charges against four social workers in the killing of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, concluding that the Palmdale boy’s death had been “foreseeable.” Judge Lomeli said the social workers had not properly documented the abuse nor the mother’s repeated refusal to attend counseling. The judge said he had reviewed the voluminous case files and noted that the defendants had overruled a scoring system set up to detect danger to children. The defendants demonstrated “an improper regard for human life” and “a lack of vigilance", Lomeli said.
9/13/18 Update: Next Pretrial conference for all on 10/24. 10/24/18: Next pretrial hearing set for 11/27 for Merritt, Bom, Rodriguez & Clement. 11/27/18: Next Pretrial hearing on 1/8/19 for all. 1/8/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Rodriguez & Clement on 3/7. 3/7/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Clement & Rodriguez on 4/11. 4/11/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for all on 5/13.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

 

[cvaldez1975]

Picture of Smiling Palmdale Teachers With Noose Might Be Tied to Gabriel Fernandez’s Child Abuse Death

 

[cvaldez1975]

i don't get it but there it is

 

[Niner]

for all:

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
July 23, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, July 23rd:
*Pretrial Conference Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
9/13/18 Update: A Los Angeles County judge on Thursday denied a motion to dismiss child abuse and other charges against four social workers in the killing of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, concluding that the Palmdale boy’s death had been “foreseeable.” Judge Lomeli said the social workers had not properly documented the abuse nor the mother’s repeated refusal to attend counseling. The judge said he had reviewed the voluminous case files and noted that the defendants had overruled a scoring system set up to detect danger to children. The defendants demonstrated “an improper regard for human life” and “a lack of vigilance,” Lomeli said.
9/13/18 Update: Next Pretrial conference for all on 10/24. 10/24/18: Next pretrial hearing set for 11/27 for Merritt, Bom, Rodriguez & Clement. 11/27/18: Next Pretrial hearing on 1/8/19 for all. 1/8/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Rodriguez & Clement on 3/7. 3/7/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for Bom, Merritt, Clement & Rodriguez on 4/11. 4/11/19: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for all on 5/13.
5/13/19 Update: Next Pretrial Conference hearing for all on 7/23.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

 

[Niner]

for All:

Upcoming Scheduled Events

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
September 9, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

November 5, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Noah’s death followed two others in the Antelope Valley. Eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez of Palmdale died in May 2013, and 10-year-old Anthony Avalos of Lancaster died in June 2018.

DCFS Social worker Janet Nichols says spending time with each child is even more critical in the wake of these child deaths—many of whom had cases out of her Antelope Valley office.

“I know a lot of workers are fearful, you know what if I’m the next one,” Nichols said. “If we check on a kid today that doesn’t mean they are going to be ok tomorrow. That’s something I try to stress to my coworkers. We can’t take it home and we can’t second guess ourselves. We go a lot on intuition and checking with management and brainstorming to see if a kid is safe.”
Social Worker Not Sure if System Works After Child Deaths

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 9th:
*Further Proceedings Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
Court information from 9/13/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post #673 here:
CA - Gabriel Fernandez, 8, tortured to death, Palmdale, 22 May 2013
7/23/19 Update: Next for all Further proceedings hearing on 9/9 & pretrial conference hearing on 11/5.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Monday, Sept. 9th:
*Further Proceedings Hearing for all (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Gabriel Fernandez (8) (May 23, 2013, Lancaster) - Child Services personnel Patricia Clement, Stephanie Rodriguez, & supervisors Gregory Merritt, Kevin Bom charged (3/20/17) & arraigned (4/3/17) on one felony count child abuse & falsifying records. $1M bail for each; all posted bail on 4/7/16.
Court information from 9/13/18 thru 6/13/19 reference post #673 here:
CA - Gabriel Fernandez, 8, tortured to death, Palmdale, 22 May 2013
7/23/19 Update: Next for all Further proceedings hearing on 9/9 & pretrial conference hearing on 11/5.
Pearl Fernandez (mom) & Isauro Aguirre were sentenced 6/7/18-Pearl life w/o parole, Isauro received the death penalty.

Thank you Niner for keeping us updated. Six long years and we're still waiting on a trial for these social workers. Deplorable.

 

[Niner]

For all:

Upcoming Scheduled Events

Date Time Location Dept/Room Number
November 5, 2019 08:30 AM Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center 107 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

link: Criminal Case Summary - Online Services - LA Court

 

[Niner]

Former DCFS workers seek dismissal of charges in death of 8-year-old Palmdale boy

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Unprecedented charges against Los Angeles County social workers were filed following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez of Palmdale.

The question today is whether the felony counts against four social workers will be dismissed, reduced or stand.

The representing Kevin Bom, Stefanie Rodriguez, Gregory Merritt and Patricia Clement.

The four had been held to answer charges of felony abuse in a preliminary hearing, but in the appeal their attorneys argued that there was insufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
[.....]
Prosecutors say that the four minimized evidence of abuse and violated multiple policies, reporting that safety programs at Gabriel's home were working at the time abuse was escalating.

An autopsy report showed bruises, fractures, and cuts all over his body including his groin as well as BB's embedded in his body.

If the case proceeds to trial and the defendants are convicted, they could face over 10 years in prison.

The appellate court could also dismiss the charges or reduce them to misdemeanors.

 

[LietKynes]

I really feel that Barbara Dixon, who testified against the 4 up on charges should also be charged with the same crimes. She got immunity in Gabriel's case but it looks like she failed in Anthony avalos case too if I'm reading the long article above incorrectly.
After failing Gabriel did she then be allowed to carry on in that same job to fail Anthony too? I haven't read up fully on Anthony yet but will do now.

Anthony Avalos' case is horrifying as well.
Idiot child protective services in his case were not willing to lift a finger to help him.