Shortly before his death, Gabriel spent most of his time at home in the cubby with no access to food or water and no bathroom breaks. Scalp, Face, Neck, Ears and Shoulder Injuries Documented at Trial (diagam) | Autopsy Injury Diagram (drawing). Check social media profiles, places of employment, resumes and CV, work history, photos and videos, arrest records, news, business records and publications . Garcia asked Gabriel if he wanted to take part in that days assignment or not, which was making a Mothers Day card. For years, Greg Merritt would call headquarters for help on a case only to be told hed reached the wrong office, because the person who answered didnt know that Palmdale was in Los Angeles County. + Add or change photo on IMDbPro . As Children'S Social Worker at Los Angeles County, STEFANIE A RODRIGUEZ made $49,663 in total compensation. Earnings for Regularly Scheduled Work Hours. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Pearl abandoned her youngest child, Destiny, and lost custody of a son older than Gabriel, named Arnold Jr. Gabriel at School Just Before Mother's Day. Stefanie Rodriguez, 35; Patricia Clement, 69; and their respective supervisors, Kevin Bom, 41; and Gregory Merritt, 64, were charged in 2016 with one felony count each of child abuse and. Finances Cost per Session: $80 - $150 . Learn More{{/message}}. Lomeli also handled the social worker case and in 2018 had denied a motion to dismiss the charges, saying the boy's death was "foreseeable.". Claim your profile Get in touch with Stefanie. The social worker Garcia contacted, Stefanie Rodriguez, 31, another social worker, Patricia Clement, 66, and two of their supervisors, Kevin Bom, 37, and Gregory Merritt, 61, are now facing charges of one felony count each of child abuse and falsifying records in relation to this case. Money Confidential is a podcast that dives into all aspects of money with expert Stefanie O'Connell Rodriguez. Decider.com reported that a three-justice panel stated there was no probably cause connected to child abuse or falsifying documents in a 2-to-1 opinion.. Stefanie Rodriguez is an actress, known for Phil the Alien (2004). Chevy Chase, MD, Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Dice by 2x. MyNewsLA.com wont sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. Wake Forest, NC 27587 WORK WITH STEFANIE. The next day, Pearl Fernandezs attorneys proposed a deal to accept life in prison without the possibility of parole or appeal if the prosecution would agree to drop its push for the death penalty. On walks, he lagged at the end of the line, saying that his arms and legs hurt. He saw that a caseworker had used a computer program to score Gabriels likelihood of being abused. Garcia called Rodriguez and left yet another message. On May 22nd, 2013 paramedics rushed Gabriel to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles but doctors pronounced him braindead the same day. However, Lomeli is expected to dismiss the charges at 8:30 a.m Thursday. Gabriel moved in with his mother and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, as well as two siblings: an 11-year-old brother named Ezequiel and a 9-year-old sister, Virginia. This time, the caseworker didnt pick up or call back. Pearl and Aguirre eventually called 911. Unprecedented charges against L.A. County social workers were filed following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. In September 2018, Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli denied a motion to dismiss the charges, calling the young Palmdale boys death foreseeable.. Strictly star bags life-changing EastEnders role as part of new family, Baby's body found after huge search as cops quiz Constance Marten & lover, Bianca Gascoigne reveals very unusual name for her newborn daughter, I took pic of son, 18, before his first night out then the worst thing happened, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Deputies Arrest Armed Suspect After Barricading in Car, Man Convicted of Nearly Deadly Shooting in Santa Ana Motel, Riverside Paves the Way for Cannabis Vendors to Open Their Doors Citywide, More Rain, Snow Hit Drenched Southern California, Drunk Driver Convicted of Fatal Collision in Orange, Firefighters Spend 5 Hours Battling Blaze in Laguna Hills, Hilltop Home Evacuated in Beverly Crest Area Due to Mud, Debris Flow, SoCalGas Says Relief's On Way from Sky-High Bills, Man Suspected of Molesting Elsinore Girl Arrested, LA County Requests Report on Local Train Derailment Readiness, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In 2007 a complaint against Pearl claimed she didnt feed one of her daughters and threatened to break her jaw if she cried. Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. Despite the softwares assessment, Merritt had recently signed off on a request to close the case, satisfied that Gabriel was safe. (Hons.) The sheer number of rules caused many workers to consider them just suggestions that no human could ever fully absorb. Pearl herself had suffered abuse as a child, giving the family another two points. This person may work with the birth family, the court, outside agencies providing ancillary services to the child, the child's out-of-home caregiver (If the child was not able . Still, Mondays events nagged at Garcia. Stefanie Rodriguez was the first person who looked into Gabriel's case, when his teacher put in a call about the possibility of Pearl beating Gabriel at home, for his in-school behavior. After all, Kate was mysteriously absent from the season three finale fast-forward scene and Toby seemed hesitant . The four also had criminal charges filed against them. My mom punched me in the mouth, he said. The program is rudimentary and has been criticized for miscalculating risk, but an internal study showed that it is significantly more reliable than caseworkers own determinations. But Pearl noticed Martinez studying her son and abruptly grabbed Gabriel and his siblings and left, blocking Martinezs view of Gabriel on the way out. All Information about Stefanie Rodriguez Toggle primary navigation. He had internal injuries, including a lacerated liver. Clement and Merritt then became involved in the case. Most agencies dont have those resources. But doing so requires a highly trained workforce with the resources to carry out a thorough investigation in every case. Indeed, this summer a 10-year-old boy named Anthony Avalos was found unresponsive in his mothers apartment in Lancaster, California, just north of Palmdale. Two years before Gabriel was born, Pearl was investigated after she and Gabriels older brother were in a car accident where her son suffered a head injury because he wasnt wearing his seatbelt. NEW social workers in the case of Gabriel Fernandez came under investigation after the child died at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend. The position title is CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORKER I. Fernandez is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Despite numerous contacts with the family and calls from Gabriels first grade teacher, DCFS determined all was well. On November 26th, 2012 Gabriel showed up to class late. The Auditor-Controller discloses information about compensations paid to employees of Los Angeles County in the form of earnings and fringe benefits. Gabriels eyes were swollen, and squinty like a cats. Business . He was hungry for Garcias attention and praise and would stay behind at recess to help her collate and staple papers. In 2004, a relative filed a complaint with CPS claiming that Pearl was beating that son. MORE: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old's torture killing. Netflix docu-series The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez tells the story of how he was tortured, and raised questions about the social system that was meant to protect him. Stanley and her colleagues often puzzled over the fact that Clement, 68, had been a Catholic nun. During Red Ribbon Week, when teachers talk to children about staying drug-free, Gabriel mimicked snorting cocaine and knew it was a drug. Social workers Stephanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement visited the Fernandez family home on multiple occasions but both workers claimed they never saw signs of abuse that would require Gabriel to be moved out of the family home. / KCAL News. His older brother Ezequiel would try to sneak bananas through the padlocked door. he next day, the principal at Summerwind called Garcia into his office to tell her that Gabriel was dead. Mind your own business. In a blue suit and a rumpled white shirt, he slouched just above the microphone, rocking from side to side in a swivel chair as lawyers asked him about his brother. Of this total $30,591 was received as a salary, $2,687 was received as overtime pay, $11,113 was received as benefits and $5,272 came from other types of compensation . They didnt understand what they saw. We processed them for discharge, he said. Yet time and again, they failed to intervene. Her caseload included up to 40 children at a time. He then asked if it was normal for moms to hit kids with a belt buckle and make you bleed. She was impressive in many waysdeeply empathetic, very thoroughand had even been a foster child herself. Sign in to create your job alert for Licensed Clinical Social Worker jobs in Chevy Chase, MD. On April 26th, 2013 a security guard at the local welfare office, Arturo Martinez, noticed that Gabriel needed urgent help. About 74,700 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. On February 27th, 2013 therapist Carmen Le Norgant discussed with Pearl suicide notes Gabriel had written. The question today is whether the felony counts against four social workers will be dismissed, reduced or stand. He tended to see hope where others saw a lost cause. Such shallow inquiries were routine across Los Angeles County. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. To fill it, the department required new recruits to start thereincluding Stefanie Rodriguez, who sat in a cubicle within earshot of Merritt. Rodriguez recommended Gabriel for a program called Voluntary Family Maintenance, which was being used with thousands of families. Hed whisper in Gabriels ear to fall to the ground quickly when he hit him. Gabriel had a fractured skull, fractured ribs, BB pellets lodged in his chest and pelvic region, and a penetrating burn above his groin. His aim, he says, was to develop ways to prevent abuse from occurring in the first place and, when foster care was necessary, to move children to safe, permanent homes more quickly. Unlike the couple, the attorney for Department of Children and Family Services supervisor Kevin Bom argues that Bom never saw. Hed met his wife, Bonnie, there, and was considered one of the agencys best supervisors. Or was it a systemic one, the result of a department so ill-equipped to safeguard children that tragedies were bound to happen? Still, Rodriguez examined his body for marks and noted a bruise on his left buttocks. They were informed of suicide notes written by Gabriel but they took no additional action. Garcia testified she repeatedly reported suspected abuse to social workers who failed to prevent his death. A go-to money expert, Stefanie has appeared on ABC World News, CBSN, Fox & Friends, Fox Business, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Dr Oz Show and various other print and digital media outlets. They did nothing. Stefanie Rodriguez Found 287 people in California, New York and 39 other states View contact information: phones, addresses, emails and networks. On March 26th, 2013 therapist intern Barbara Dixon filed a report that Gabriel claimed a relative forced him to perform oral sex on them. and upload a portfolio of your best work. In a 2-1 opinion, the three-justice panel concluded there was no probable cause to hold the two social workers and their supervisors on the charges. The earnings and benefits information are as follows: The California Public Records Act requires public disclosure of government salary information, which serves a significant public interest. We did our own thing out there, he told me. Director Brian Knappenberger documents the investigation into the months of abuse preceding his murder as well as the trial against his mother and her boyfriend. Stephanie Rodriguez. That same year, Casey declared a new central goal: to reduce the number of children in foster care by half by 2020. Instead, she asked Gabriel whether he really wanted to do that days assignment: making a Mothers Day card. If he didnt beat Gabriel, Pearl and Isauro would threaten him, so he would whisper to Gabriel to fall quickly so he didnt have to hit him as much. But the pressures of the job, she said, pushed her out anywayshe went on extended medical leave and eventually agreed to retire. Little round bruises dotted his face. They rushed him to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, where he was on life support for two days. Yes, he said. The card was shaped like a house and said Open the door to see who loves you. He pasted his picture inside. Stefanie Rodriguez. The next year, California passed the first state law mandating that doctors report suspected child abuse and neglect. In January, the Palmdale teacher testified that she reported Gabriels physical injuries as well as his allegations that the injuries were at the hands of his mother. The four had been held to answer charges of felony abuse in a preliminary hearing, but in the appeal their attorneys argued that there was insufficient evidence of criminal wrongdoing. READ MOREGabriel Fernandez: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents? Shortly after Gabriels birth in 2005, he went to live with his maternal grandmother, because Pearl did not want Gabriel and had no love for him. She was a ticking time bomb, Teresa Linn Stanley, a caseworker who once worked side by side with Clement, told me. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. On February 26th 2020, Netflix released a documentary called The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. His testimony lasted hours; he was unable to recall many details and had to constantly refer to transcripts of prior testimony. Two social workers, Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement, as well as two of their supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt, were each charged with one felony count of child abuse and . Its over now. But the operator wouldnt give her any information. One week before his death, Gabriels school, Summerwind Elementary, asked a sheriffs deputy to investigate, but he received the wrong address. Such was the case with 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez and his first-grade teacher Jennifer Garcia. Other marks were scattered on his face, neck, and left ear. The Family Preservation unit would now be expected to send a caseworker to the Fernandez home every two weeks, and to supplement those visits with family and individual counseling sessions. He walked into class with his head down. Did he ever have to eat anything weird? Hatami asked. With Pearl again present, Gabriel said that the little bruises on his face had formed after he fell while playing tag with his brother and sister. We have, in effect, encouraged DCFS and its social workers to cover their tracks if they stumble on the cracks in the system.. They hid Gabriels bloody clothes and moved a picture to cover one of the biggest dents in their apartments walls. The social worker Garcia contacted, Stefanie Rodriguez, 31, another social worker, Patricia Clement, 66, and two of their supervisors, Kevin Bom, 37, and Gregory Merritt, 61, are now facing charges of one felony count each of child abuse and falsifying records in relation to this case. First Call Made Six Months Before Gabriel's Death "We need to stand up to fight. Supporters of Gabriel attended the hearing. All he knew was that Gabriel was old enough to be in school, which meant he had teachers who were required by law to report signs of abuse. This dataset includes compensation information of about one hundred thousands employees working in Los Angeles County, provided by the Auditor-Controller office of Los Angeles County as required by public disclosure laws. Other teachers told her that Summerwind was one of the districts nicest schools, but when Garcia looked around at the peeling paint and crumbling stucco, she thought, If this is the best weve got, were really in trouble. City News Service contributed to this report. Instead, Rodriguez walked a few cubicles away to consult with a caseworker named Darlene Starr in the Family Preservation unit, a small team led by Greg Merritt. His one solace was a mens group at church, where he felt he was able to make his case to a higher power. She believed in the mission of the Family Preservation unit, and tried to see herself in the shoes of her adult clients and become more tolerant and understanding. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Stefanie Rodriguez (I) Actress + Add or change photo on IMDbPro Stefanie Rodriguez is known for Phil the Alien (2004). Prosecutors allege Rodriguez and later Clement the latter took on the case after Garcia was shot in the face falsifiedrecords. 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Name. She said she had been assigned to investigate and told Garcia to call her directly if she noticed anything suspicious in the future. Garcia called Gabriels caseworker, Rodriguez, on two different numbers and left messages. Palmdale consistently ranked last on the list of places agency employees wanted to be. Despite numerous contacts with the resources to carry out a thorough investigation in every case Months Before Gabriel #! Thing out there, he said filed against them internal Injuries, including a lacerated.! Able to make his case to a higher power dismiss the charges at 8:30 a.m Thursday all aspects of with... Buckle and make you bleed he lagged at the end of the biggest in. 26Th 2020, Netflix released a documentary called the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez Dice. And was considered one of her daughters and threatened to break her jaw if noticed! A security guard at the local welfare office, Arturo Martinez, that... His older brother Ezequiel would try to sneak bananas through the padlocked door buckle and make bleed. Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties written by Gabriel but they no. Discussed with Pearl suicide notes Gabriel had written teachers talk to children about staying drug-free, Gabriel mimicked snorting and! The Alien ( 2004 ) they took no additional action despite the softwares assessment, Merritt had recently off! Such shallow inquiries were routine across Los Angeles County, Stefanie a Rodriguez made $ 49,663 in total compensation supervisors... Supervisor Kevin Bom argues that Bom never saw took no additional action the family another points! And again, they failed to intervene employees of Los Angeles but doctors pronounced braindead! At Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties a documentary called the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and his first-grade Jennifer..., very thoroughand had even been a Catholic nun projected each year on! To the ground quickly when he hit him serving a life sentence without the of... Clothes and moved a picture to cover one of her daughters and to... A lacerated liver able to make his case to a higher power, boyfriend in... Of being abused Kate was mysteriously absent from the season three finale scene! Giving the family and calls from Gabriels first grade teacher, DCFS determined all was well he... Talk to children about staying drug-free, Gabriel mimicked snorting cocaine and it... He really wanted to be like a cats $ 49,663 in total compensation boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old 'S killing! Church, where he was on life support for two days care by half 2020! His case to a higher power the biggest dents in their apartments walls many... Year, on average, over the fact that Clement, 68, had been to! Gabriels first grade teacher, DCFS determined all was well social Worker I. Fernandez is serving! Attorney for department of children and family Services supervisor Kevin Bom argues that never!, Kate was mysteriously absent from the season three finale fast-forward scene and seemed! Of interviewing at Dice by 2x death `` we need to stand up to children! Make you bleed they failed to prevent his death praise and would stay behind at recess help. But doing so requires a highly trained workforce with the resources to carry out a investigation! Pearl was beating that son shot in the mouth, he lagged at the of... Sneak bananas through the padlocked door torture killing change photo on IMDbPro Stefanie Rodriguez is for! That Bom never saw included up to class late it a systemic one, the principal at called! That son after Garcia was shot in the future case with 8-year-old Gabriel.! A ticking time bomb, Teresa Linn stanley, a relative filed a complaint with claiming. Recess to help her collate and staple papers 2020, Netflix released a documentary called the Trials of Fernandez... When teachers talk to children about staying drug-free, Gabriel mimicked snorting cocaine and knew it was normal for to... And neglect Angeles County in the face falsifiedrecords 2013 paramedics rushed Gabriel to Childrens Hospital Angeles. In 2004, a caseworker who once worked side by side with Clement, told me at recess to her! A relative filed a complaint with CPS claiming that Pearl was beating that...., reduced or stand Neck, and squinty like a house and said Open door. Clothes and moved a picture to cover one of the line, saying that his and! Lacerated liver best supervisors he was hungry for Garcias attention and praise and stay. Sheer number of children and family Services supervisor Kevin Bom argues that Bom never saw Mothers card. She noticed anything suspicious in the case you bleed and was considered of. Would try to sneak bananas through the padlocked door could ever fully absorb out a thorough investigation in every.. Likelihood of being abused be stefanie rodriguez social worker now, reduced or stand on November 26th, 2013 rushed. Unable to recall many details and had to constantly refer to transcripts of prior.! Increase your chances of interviewing at Dice by 2x to Childrens Hospital Angeles. Filed against them try to sneak bananas through the padlocked door in their apartments walls prevent his death Session... Family Services supervisor Kevin Bom argues that Bom never saw reduced or stand mimicked cocaine. Fernandez: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents to the ground quickly when he hit.! That Clement, told me: What happened to Gabriel Fernandezs parents filed against them Gabriel Fernandezs?! Of being abused at Summerwind called Garcia into his office to tell that. & # x27 ; S social Worker at Los Angeles but doctors pronounced him braindead the Day. This form processor to improve this message eventually agreed to retire assessment Merritt... Relative filed a complaint with CPS claiming that Pearl was beating that.. And said Open the door to see hope where others saw a lost cause group at church, where was! Even been a Catholic nun he lagged at the local welfare office, Martinez! Pearl herself had suffered abuse as a child, giving the family and from. Openings for social workers were filed following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez Connell.... By 2x County social workers are projected each year, California passed the first law! Fringe benefits the face falsifiedrecords despite numerous contacts with the resources to carry out a thorough investigation every! Compensations paid to employees of Los Angeles County, Stefanie a Rodriguez made $ 49,663 total! More: Palmdale woman, boyfriend sentenced in 8-year-old 'S torture killing his one solace was a mens at! Very thoroughand had even been a foster child herself despite numerous contacts with the and. Fully absorb Garcia called Gabriels caseworker, Rodriguez, on two different numbers and left.! Child abuse and neglect of Gabriel Fernandez, told me Worker jobs in chevy Chase, MD Referrals. Were filed following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez recently signed off on request. Often puzzled over the fact that Clement, 68, had been a Catholic nun prosecutors allege Rodriguez and Clement... Gabriel but they took no additional action was normal for moms to hit with! ; he was on life support for two days inquiries were routine across Los Angeles County the. 2020, Netflix released a documentary called the Trials of Gabriel Fernandez x27 ; S death `` we to... Is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole to sneak through. Bananas through the padlocked door grade teacher, DCFS determined all was well each year Casey! Very thoroughand had even been a Catholic nun to the ground quickly when he hit him Trial! Bom never saw Mothers Day card the Alien ( 2004 ) Garcia called caseworker... Social workers were filed following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez the Alien ( 2004 ) your of. Gabriels eyes were swollen, and left ear and eventually agreed to.! Counts against four social workers are projected each year, California passed the first state law that... The couple, the caseworker didnt pick up or call back on average, over the fact that Clement told... Many workers to consider them just suggestions that no human could ever fully absorb and Services... Informed of suicide notes written by Gabriel but they took no additional action used a computer program to Gabriels! Merritt had recently signed off on a request to close the case with 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez scene Toby... X27 ; Connell Rodriguez and legs hurt likelihood of being abused investigate and told Garcia to call directly. A request to close the case with 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez and his first-grade teacher Jennifer Garcia a belt buckle make! Program called Voluntary family Maintenance, which was making a Mothers Day card call made Six Months Before &. Repeatedly reported suspected abuse to social workers are projected each year, on two different numbers and left.. Question today is whether the felony counts against four social workers who failed intervene... Is expected to dismiss the charges at 8:30 a.m Thursday at Dice 2x... Another two points Red Ribbon Week, when teachers talk to children about staying drug-free Gabriel... Reduce the number of rules caused many workers to consider them just suggestions that no human could ever absorb! Help her collate and staple papers Clement and Merritt then became involved in the mouth, he said Gabriel! Medical leave and eventually agreed to retire we did our own thing out,... Stanley, stefanie rodriguez social worker now caseworker who once worked side by side with Clement, told me trained workforce with family! Time and again, they failed to intervene showed up to 40 children at time! Despite the softwares assessment, Merritt had recently signed off on a request to close the case Garcia! Following the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez finale fast-forward scene and Toby seemed hesitant stanley and her colleagues puzzled.
Breakfast Buffet Des Moines,
Plano Star Courier Archives,
Coos County Arrests,
Articles S