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'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez': Release date, plot, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix's crime docu-series

The docu-series re-examines the animalistic killing of eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez by his mother and her boyfriend

Netflix is all set to air its true-crime documentary series 'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez' that deep dives into the infamous case and aims to question why the boy's abuse went unnoticed for such a long time. The streaming giant promises to make it a difficult viewing experience.

Release date

'The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez' airs on February 26.

Plot

Eight-year-old Gabriel Fernandez was tortured, abused and killed by his mother Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre on May 22, 2013, in Palmdale, California. While Pearl was sentenced to life, Isuaro was ordered the death penalty.

Two days before Gabriel died in the hospital, Pearl called 911 to report that her son was unresponsive after he hit his head. However, the paramedics shared a completely different story. The boy was found naked with a skull fracture, cracked ribs and BB gun pellets stuck to his skin. 

The six-episode series will also feature episodes that are going to particularly question the role of four social workers — Stefanie Rodriguez, Patricia Clement, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt — who falsified public records and, obviously, failed to protect the child. Apparently, the Department of Children & Family Services was well aware of the regular torture and abuse the child went through but no action was taken until one phone call that changed everything.

The documentary will also re-examine the medical reports that have shown how the boy had numerous bruises in his body. This one time, the child started bleeding after he was hit by a belt buckle. He was hit, starved and even had one of his teeth knocked out by a bat that the couple used.

What's shocking is during the trials, Gabriel's siblings said that Isauro would hit him because he thought Gabriel was gay, Newsweek reported.

Cast

It has been directed by Brian Knappenberger and will feature first-hand accounts of Gabriel's friends, family members, school authority and the legal team that was handling the case.

Trailer