More Details Emerge In Death Of Palmdale Boy, 8
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — More details emerged Friday in the case of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy who died last week after sustaining a massive skull fracture and other injuries in a case of suspected child abuse.
Listing Gabriel Fernandez as a "homicide victim," an autopsy report states that he sustained blunt force trauma to his body and child neglect.
The child's mother, 29-year-old Pearl Fernandez and boyfriend 32-year-old Isauro Aguirre, have since been charged with one count each of capital murder.
"If the facts prove as they were reported, as you've discussed, the system … the entire system failed this family and this child and there need to be consequences," Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services Director Philip Browning said.
Browning told CBS2's Dave Lopez that he cannot directly comment on a report published by the Los Angeles Times on Thursday.
The article by the Times citing confidential records reports that Fernandez's "skull was cracked, three ribs were broken and his skin was bruised and burned. He had BB pellets embedded in his lung and groin. Two teeth were knocked out of his mouth."
The report also states that there were six investigations into the alleged mistreatment of Fernandez in that home.
When asked, Browning said, "I'm not denying but I'm not in the position to confirm that without getting approval from the court."
Browning said a full investigation is under way. Four people involved in the case have been reassigned to desk duty.
Browning also said he wants full transparency, but for now, confidential records of the case will not be released by his office.
"If it were up to me, what I would do, is to be as transparent as possible. What I would like to be able to do is discuss in detail anything that goes on with these cases," Browning said.
Browning said in this instance he must defer to the Board of Supervisors who currently have no intention of releasing confidential documents.
RELATED STORIES: Documents Show DCFS Failed To Intervene In Palmdale Home Despite Multiple Abuse Allegations
