Mother, Boyfriend To Be Arraigned In Death Of Boy, 8
PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — An Antelope Valley mother and her boyfriend, who have been charged in the murder of the woman's 8-year-old son, were scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
Pearl Fernandez, 29, and 32-year-old Isauro Aguirre were arrested Thursday in the death of Gabriel Fernandez. The pair has been charged with one count each of murder with the special circumstance of torture, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the boy was tortured by Aguirre, suffering a broken skull and ribs as well as burns and bruises all over his body.
The child's mother is accused of doing nothing to stop the beatings.
Authorities were tipped off to the abuse on May 22 after the Los Angeles County Fire Department was called out to the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10 on a report of a boy who was not breathing.
Gabriel Fernandez was transported to a local hospital, where he died on May 24.
Aguirre is being held on $1 million bail.
"Prosecutors will ask that the pair be held without bail when they make their first court appearance," the DA's office said in a statement.
A rally was held Monday night in Gabriel's honor. Protesters were expected to be outside the courthouse Tuesday.
