New docuseries The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez dropped on Netflix yesterday and the horror inflicted on the poor little boy is causing people to be physically sick.
The six-part series is all about eight-year-old Gabriel, who was severely abused and eventually murdered by his mother in 2013, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre.
It tells his harrowing story and the child protection system that let him down when all the signs of physical and mental abuse were there.
Advert
And the horrific story is causing a strong reaction amongst viewers on Twitter.
One said: "Im barely on episode 1/6 of the Gabriel Fernandez documentary and I'm so sickened and brought to tears hearing them name every injury this poor baby had on his body".
Another added: "Just finished The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez on Netflix and I'm absolutely sickened and heartbroken. The worst part is knowing the failings of the system that was supposed to protect him. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around what that little boy must have gone through".
One had an extreme reaction: "Have never in my life thrown up from watching something on tv. But The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez did it. I'm... horrified."
A fourth commented: "Not even 10 minutes into The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and I am angry, horrified and crying... how..."
Advert
Another added: "Nothing ever makes me sick to my stomach or deeply bothers me, but the trials of Gabriel Fernandez has me so fucking nauseous and emotional. That poor baby boy deserved so much more than this life had given him."
Others were hoping people would be encouraged to save kids in foster care because of it: "I hope the Gabriel Hernandez [Fernandez] documentary encourages people to foster and adopt children from really bad situations".
It is unsurprising the reaction is so strong given the nature of the story.
Advert
Gabriel was found unconscious when paramedics arrived at his home in Palmdale, California on 22nd May 2013. His mother had called and said there had been an incident.
On arrival at the hospital, doctors discovered his skull had been fractured in two places, three of his ribs were broken and his teeth knocked out with a bat. He had also suffered injuries from BB gun pellets. But this was just one incident of a lifetime of abuse.
He was pronounced brain dead and taken off life support two days later.
The documentary series is about what happened to this poor little boy, but it's also about holding people accountable.
Los Angeles County district attorneys put not only his parents on trial therefore, but the state too - including four former county Department of Children and Family Services employees for mishandling Gabriel's case.
Advert
It's heartbreaking to know a poor little boy suffered due to cruel people, as well as the failings of the state - we're not sure we can bring ourselves to even watch it.
Fernandez is serving a life sentence now without parole, whilst Aguirre is on death row.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is now streaming on Netflix.
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: TV and Film, Netflix
