The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is Netflix’s most harrowing true-crime documentary yet
Netflix is about to release its next true-crime documentary series, the trailer for which essentially warns viewers it will be a particularly difficult viewing experience.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez tells the traumatising story of an eight-year-old boy who was tortured and beaten to death by his mother, Pearl, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguire, in 2013.
Gabriel was found in his family home in Los Angeles having suffered horrific injuries, including a fractured skull and severe burn marks, after his mother called 911 to report her son was not breathing after hitting his head.
The pair later confessed to intentionally abusing Gabriel, who was declared brain-dead and died two days after being taken to hospital.
This particular series asks how Gabriel’s injuries “slipped through the cracks” and tracks the court proceedings that attempt to prosecute Pearl, Isauro and four social workers who were tasked with looking out for Gabriel.
The series places some of the focus on these social workers, who were accused of doctoring records after failing to remove Gabriel from his abusive mother despite the fact the Department of Children & Family Services was aware of the injuries he was receiving.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is directed by Brian Knappenberger and features first person accounts from Gabriel’s family members, young friends and the legal team hoping to prosecute those responsible.
It joins a long list of true-crime shows to have been added to Netflix in recent years, including The Staircase, The Pharmacist and Making a Murderer.
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez will be available to stream from 26 February.
