Death Penalty Sought For Mother, Boyfriend Who Tortured And Killed 8-Year-Old Son

Prosecutors with the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office are reportedly seeking the death penalty for a mother and boyfriend who have been accused of torturing and killing the woman’s 8-year-old son.

According to the LA Times, Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, were charged with murder following her son’s death in May of 2013. Unfortunately, there have been numerous victimized children who have suffered a similar fate as Gabriel, but prosecutors are focusing in on the torture he suffered at the hands of the couple.

Two days prior to his death, Gabriel was allegedly beaten by Fernandez and Aguirre for not picking up his toys. However, the horrendous repercussions he suffered were far worse than most could fathom when thinking about punishing a child for less than favorable behavior.

Following the horrific beating, Gabriel was reportedly unresponsive. His condition forced Fernandez to seek immediate medical attention. When paramedics arrived, Gabriel was found naked in a bedroom.

The boy, who was reportedly not breathing, had a cracked skull and three broken ribs. It was also reported that he had BB pellets lodged in his lungs and groin. However, that’s only the information regarding the preliminary trauma he suffered.

Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedic James Cermak offered a more specific perspective of the boy’s injuries, insisting no part of his body looked untouched.

“It was just like every inch of this child had been abused.”

Gabriel died two days later at a local hospital. The heinous abuse led to the grand jury’s decision to indict the couple on charges of special circumstances of torture in addition to first-degree murder.

Although previous reports stated that the couple had struck a plea deal where they would both agree to life sentences without parole, on Wednesday, July 1 prosecutors announced that the death penalty would be sought.

According to KTLA, the Department of Children and Family Services was also investigated following Gabriel’s death. Apparently, his death wasn’t the first documented abuse allegations that were reported. Months prior to his death, several agencies reportedly investigated allegations of child abuse, but unfortunately, he was never removed from the home.

[Image(s) via Facebook; NBC Los Angeles Screen Capture]