Pearl Fernandez Seeks Resentencing in Gabriel Fernandez Torture Murder Case
A hearing is scheduled today for Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, the Palmdale mother convicted in the torture and killing of her 8-year-old son, Gabriel Fernandez.
Fernandez, now 42, is again seeking to be resentenced after pleading guilty to first-degree murder. She was sentenced in March 2018 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the May 2013 killing.
Her latest petition argues that changes in California law could affect her conviction. She also claims her former defense attorney provided ineffective assistance and coerced her into accepting the plea deal. The filing further alleges she has limited comprehension skills and believed her case would proceed to appeal when she entered the plea.
Fernandez previously filed a resentencing petition that was denied in June 2021 by Judge George G. Lomeli, who ruled she was not eligible for relief. At that time, the court cited her own admission that the killing was intentional and involved prolonged torture, describing her as a major participant in the murder.
Co-defendant Isauro Aguirre, now 45, was sentenced to death. His automatic appeal remains pending before the California Supreme Court.
Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami has opposed both resentencing efforts, stating he will continue to fight the latest petition. He has repeatedly described the crime as one of the most horrific cases of child abuse in Los Angeles County.
Prosecutors said Gabriel was subjected to months of extreme abuse, including beatings, starvation, being shot with a BB gun, and being forced to sleep bound and gagged in a small cabinet. He was also forced to eat cat feces.
On May 22, 2013, emergency crews responded to the family’s home in the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10 after reports the child was not breathing. Gabriel was declared brain-dead that day and removed from life support two days later.
The case sparked widespread outrage and scrutiny over the handling of prior abuse reports by Los Angeles County social workers. Criminal charges were later filed against two former social workers and their supervisors, but the case was ultimately dismissed after an appeals court ruled they did not have legal custody or control over the child.
UPDATE 10am: The judge has just denied her resentencing