In DCFSs Palmdale office, people liked to joke: Its not the end of the world, but you can see it from here. High-ranking administrators from headquarters in Los Angeles rarely made the long drive through the hills and canyons up to this community on the edge of the Mojave Desert, where buzzards circle and dust storms penetrate homes with a layer of grit that no amount of vigilance can keep out. A few days later, Gabriel came to school with a split lip from Pearl punching him in the mouth. Merritt, one of the. Social workers Stefanie Rodriguez, Patricia Clement, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt were ordered today to stand trial on falsifying records and child abuse charges involving the death of Gabriel Fernandez, an 8-year-old Palmdale boy who died in 2013 after prolonged child abuse. Her caseload included up to 40 children at a time. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Stephanie Rodrigues is a member of the caregiver training team. During the trial, it was revealed that Gabriel had been starved, kept in handcuffs, shot with BB guns, doused with pepper spray, forced to eat his own vomit and locked in a cabinet with a sock stuffed in his mouth to muffle his screams. Children's Social Worker (CSW) The representative who works with the family who is in receiving services from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). He rarely went outside during recess, and when he did, Garcia sometimes saw him alone on the playground, kicking a wall. Authorities later determined that his mother and her boyfriend had tortured him for at least five days. Find Stefanie Rodriguez's articles, email address, contact information, Twitter and more. It was very clear that this was no accidental fall. Check for a confirmation email, and then you're all set with MyNewsLA.com! Los Angeles County social workers Stefanie Rodriguez, 35, Patricia Clement, 69, and supervisors Kevin Bom, 41, and Gregory Merritt, 64, were each been charged with one felony count of child. Find Stefanie Rodriguez's phone number, address, and email on Spokeo, the leading people search directory for contact information and public records. "We conclude that the petitioners never had the requisite duty to control the abusers and did not have care or custody of Gabriel for purposes of Penal Code section 273a, subdivision (a). Garcia testified she repeatedly reported suspected abuse to social workers who failed to prevent his death. Neither caseworker Kevin Bom nor case manager Stefanie Rodriguez felt the bruising was grounds for a doctors visit or Gabriels removal from the home. One of his eyes was a deep red. Gabriel had a fractured skull, fractured ribs, BB pellets lodged in his chest and pelvic region, and a penetrating burn above his groin. Advocates for family preservation have at times lamented that they lacked the kind of horror stories that could galvanize support for their position. After they found the file and Dallis left, Merritt said a silent prayer for the boy. I live Coram Deo, he said. A three-justice panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal issued an opinion Monday directing a lower court to dismiss child abuse and other charges against four social workers in the killing of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. . He said his mother and her boyfriend would threaten him if he didnt join in their beatings. She had abandoned her youngest child, a daughter named Destiny, and lost custody of a son named Arnold Jr., who was a year older than Gabriel. When the charges were announced, Browning made a statement describing Gabriels case as an isolated incident and describing the four defendants as outliers whose actions shouldnt reflect on the department as a whole. Lomeli called the pair nothing short of evil and worse than animalistic because even animals know how to take care of their young.. The four also had criminal charges filed against them. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES. Sleeping Pods. The defense lawyers presented a long list of others who could have helped Gabriel, toopolice officers, school staff members, and people in the community. Corona then gave Martinez the familys name and contact information, telling Martinez to save this kid. He called DCFS twice, but could not navigate the automated system. Click the link in the email we sent to to verify your email address and activate your job alert. White House Farm killer played badminton and drew models in prison. At the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, administrators had a well-worn routine they followed anytime a child died, or came close to dying, at the hands of a parent or guardiansomething that typically happened at least a couple of times a month. Martinez asked Maricela Corona, the clerk Pearl had spoken to, if she planned to report child abuse. Mind your own business. Instead, she said the one thing she thought he could count on: One day, youre going to be 18. In July 2015, according to Los Angeles Times, prosecutors looked into giving both Fernandez and Aguirre the death penalty to repent for their horrific actions. One day, he stole Garcias iPod and took it to his mom, trying to please her. vs. LA County, Scalp, Face, Neck, Ears and Shoulder Injuries Documented at Trial (diagam). DCFS never learned about these injuries while Gabriel was alive. Paramedics found Gabriel naked in a bedroom with a cracked skull three broken ribs and BB pellets embedded in his lung and groin. Whether he tried or even had time to follow up on this claim is unknown. A red eye; his face, neck, and ear marked and bruised; his forehead skin was peeling. In January, a three-justice panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal issued an opinion directing a lower court to dismiss the charges against the social workers. About STEFANIE M GUERRERO . Rodriguez, Clement, as well as two of their supervisors, Bom and Merritt were charged with one felony count of child abuse and falsifying public records in April 2016. Neither got far past the idea stage. Found insideWith the introduction of new sections and additional information, the fourth edition should prove highly useful for the students. She enjoys both developing curriculum for caregivers and delivering it in the classroom and online. He whispered to Garcia that he didnt know what to say when they asked what had happened. Social worker Gregory Merritt appears in The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez. MyNewsLA.com wont sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. Gabriel told the teacher that his mother hit him with belt buckle until he bled and asked whether such bleeding was normal. Please apply today or contact me directly:Dana Laghezza Director, Practice Development LifeStance Health, Inc. (e) Dana.Laghezza @LifeStance.com (p)lt;br> We offer Licensed Therapists (LCPC, LCSW . Garcia testified that she first called the child abuse hotline on Oct. 30, 2012. Garcia called the principal to the room to take a look at Gabriels head. But she said her boss had told her not to call the hotline, because he didnt want to jeopardize Pearls cooperation with the Voluntary Family Maintenance program. Merritt was on antidepressants, and he rarely left the house. Name. In June 2018, Lomeli sentenced Isauro Aguirre to death for the boys first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of murder involving torture. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed charges against social workers who were accused of child abuse and falsifying records related to the death of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez. If they were to be found guilty, they faced up to 10 years in prison each. Stefanie Rodriguez, 32, Patricia Clement, 66, Kevin Bom, 37, and Gregory Merritt, 61, were fired from their jobs following an internal investigation into the May 24, 2013, death of Gabriel. Whereas in the past, agencies had received an allocation based on the number of children who were in foster care, Los Angeles and certain other jurisdictions now received waivers that allowed them to keep the same level of funding even if foster-care rolls dropped. He tended to see hope where others saw a lost cause. Long Term Disability Premiums, Life Insurance Premiums and Employer Medicare Tax. She turned the conversation back to Gabriel. Social workers Stefanie Rodriguez and Patricia Clement, as well as their supervisors, Kevin Bom and Gregory Merritt, were each charged with one felony count of child abuse and one felony. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. She knewas so many of the schools staff members knewthat Gabriel was in danger at home. It destroyed my life.. But the pressures of the job, she said, pushed her out anywayshe went on extended medical leave and eventually agreed to retire. By the departments own count, since Gabriels death, at least 143 children in Los Angeles County have died from abuse or neglect after having some prior history with DCFS. Their case marks one of the few times social worked have been charged in a child abuse case in the US. Business . . Select this result to view Stefanie Denise Rodriquez's phone number, address, and more. Almost three years had passed since Gabriels death, and many people had all but forgotten that a criminal review was under way. The appellate opinion noted that although they may have failed in their duties as social workers there was no probable cause for a criminal case. Clement and Merritt then became involved in the case. Lomeli also presided over the trial of Fernandez killers, his mother and her boyfriend. But the consequences of needlessly separating children from their parents, while less visible, can be devastating too. In his view, caseworkers should get more oversight, not less. The position title is CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORKER I. An arrest warrant filed March 28 identifies the four Los Angeles social workers as Stefanie Rodriguez, 30, Patricia Clement, 65, Kevin Bom, 36, and Gregory Merritt, 60. RELATED: Prosecutor in Gabriel Fernandez case was a victim of child abuse himself. To this day, Jennifer Garcia reserves the #28 in her classroom. In my opinion, no crime was committed and I did not commit a crime., The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is streaming on Netflix now. She remembered how hard hed worked on it, even after she told him he didnt have to. drop in the number of children in foster care, The Still-Harrowing Extent of Child Abuse and Neglect, In a Year, Child-Protective Services Checked Up on 3.2 Million Children, When the State Takes Kids Away From Parents: Three Perspectives. Villar also stated that the defendants should have documented Gabriel Fernandezs injuries and that their actions were incompatible with the proper regard for human life.. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). The jurors deliberated for five hours before finding Aguirre guilty of torture and murder. Her supervisor, Kevin Bom, a 33-year-old who was seen as a rising star in the department, would approve every key decision she made and sign off on all her reports. When she was finally alone with him at recess, she asked what had happened. Sign up here for our free newsletters. Stephanie Rodriguez Social worker Greater Sacramento 7 followers 7 connections Join to view profile Department of Child, Family, and Adult Services Sonoma State University Experience Human. We have, in effect, encouraged DCFS and its social workers to cover their tracks if they stumble on the cracks in the system.. The program allowed children to remain in the home while the family worked to resolve their issues. Le Norgant informed social worker Patricia Clement and Palmdales LAC DCFS supervisor Greg Merritt. Judge George Lomeli had previously denied a motion to dismiss the charges against the social workers. Again, information traveled in one direction: Rodriguez wouldnt tell Garcia what she was doing to protect Gabriel, or whether she planned to remove him from his home. stefanie rodriguez social worker now. His new address meant a new school, too. Pearl told the operator that Gabriel wasnt breathing, and Aguirre blamed the injuries on Gabriels roughhousing with Ezequiel. Gabriel Fernandez: Is Pearl Fernandez still in prison? They asked the lawyer representing the L.A. County District Attorney about the term "duty," and the liability of workers. I drove around aimlessly for a while and lost track of time.. Some of Merritts colleagues were so ashamed of the departments reputation that they avoided telling people what they did for a living. Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. stefanie rodriguez social worker nownyproduktion mlnlycke. Garcia called Gabriels caseworker, Rodriguez, on two different numbers and left messages. They alleged the officials failed to take appropriate steps to protect the boy. His neck had been stripped of a layer of skin. Yes, he said. Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R, MSW Location. charged with child abuse and falsifying public records, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, was sentenced to life in prison, while her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, was sentenced to death. A motion to appeal the 2nd District Court of Appeals decision was denied in January 2020. Fernandez pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and received a sentence of life in prison without parole. She visited again two weeks later, and wrote that Pearl Fernandez described herself as the victim of a mother who never showed any real love or positive feelings about her. Clement noted that Pearls boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, was a very pleasant person. Despite Gabriels steady absences, Clement wrote: The children are attending school regularly and doing well., Soon after Clements first visit, Gabriel wrote several notes saying that he wanted to kill himself. Pearl abandoned her youngest child, Destiny, and lost custody of a son older than Gabriel, named Arnold Jr. The many prior hotline calls gave them five points. We have been six years fighting this battle," says the boy's cousin Olivia Rubio. Earnings for Regularly Scheduled Work Hours. The case became the subject of a PBS documentary, and media attention made Logan a symbol of child-protective services overreach. One week before his death, Gabriels school, Summerwind Elementary, asked a sheriffs deputy to investigate, but he received the wrong address. It was meant to be used for lower-risk cases, but a later review found that the department was taking chances on parents who would not have been eligible for family-preservation services had their cases reached the courts. Statistical mechanics is the theory underlying condensed matter physics. Stefanie Rodriguez. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Still, Rodriguez examined his body for marks and noted a bruise on his left buttocks. Unlike his brother Justin, Steven Assanti does not have a very visible social media presence. She decided to call Rodriguez again, and again got voicemail. Find contact's direct phone number, email address, work history, and more. Stefanie Guerrero is a provider established in Raleigh, North Carolina and her medical specialization is Social Worker with a focus in clinical . Arturo Martinez, the security guard, asked to transfer to another office because he could not continue to work with the same people who had refused to help Gabriel. Gabriels grandmother told two sheriffs deputies that Pearl had a history of neglecting and abusing her children, but they didnt believe her. See full bio More at IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent, publicist, legal on IMDbPro Known For Phil the Alien Young Madame Madame 2004 Hide all | | Edit Filmography Hide Actress (1 credit) 2004 Phil the Alien When Garcia first questioned Gabriel about his injuries, he lied to her and told her he fell. However, his girlfriend, now wife, Stephanie Sanger, announced their marriage in a post on her Facebook page, which has since been deleted. Gabriel would cry at the end of the day because he didnt want to go home. Rodriguez visited the familys apartment, but again Gabriel recanted. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. But the program worried Philip Browning, whod become the head of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services in 2011. When Barbara Dallis, one of the departments assistant regional administrators, showed up at Merritts desk that morning asking for the Gabriel Fernandez case file, he didnt immediately understand that something terrible had happened. [INFO]White House Farm ending: Where are they now? No one could protect them alland he felt frustrated that both administrators and the public expected him to do the impossible. The filing followed the Palmdale boys death in May 2013 from a beating by his mothers boyfriend and reports of months of torture prior to that. Nor did she ever interview Gabriel or his siblings alone, as is required by department policy because many children who fear additional abuse recant their stories if the perpetrator is present. The case made against the four social workers never made it to trial. On January 29, 2013 Rodriguez made a final visit to Fernandezs home. Back in her classroom, Garcia saw the Mothers Day card on Gabriels desk. 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