Woman Seeks Resentencing in Son's Torture Death

Fernandez claims ineffective counsel led to guilty plea for life without parole

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken, twisted child's toy against a stark black background, conveying the grim reality of a case of severe child abuse.A shattered remnant of a child's life, a haunting reminder of the horrors of abuse.Los Angeles Today

A Palmdale woman is again seeking resentencing in the first-degree murder of her 8-year-old son, who was routinely beaten, starved, and tortured until his death nearly 13 years ago. Fernandez claims her state-appointed attorney provided ineffective counsel and coerced her into a guilty plea for a life sentence without parole.

Why it matters

This case sparked outrage over the handling of the abuse by Los Angeles County social workers, leading to criminal charges against two social workers and their supervisors, though those charges were later dismissed. Fernandez's renewed bid for resentencing continues to bring painful trauma to the victim's family.

The details

Fernandez pleaded guilty in 2018 to the first-degree murder of her 8-year-old son, who was subjected to months of abuse including beatings, starvation, and being forced to sleep in a closet. The judge at the time called it 'the most aggravated and egregious case of torture' he had ever witnessed. Fernandez is now claiming her attorney provided ineffective counsel and coerced her into the guilty plea.

  • Fernandez's son was 7 when the abuse began and was killed three months after his 8th birthday in May 2013.
  • Fernandez pleaded guilty in February 2018 and was sentenced to life without parole.
  • Fernandez's first petition for resentencing was denied by the judge in June 2021.
  • Fernandez filed a new petition for resentencing in February 2026.

The players

Fernandez

The Palmdale woman who pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of her 8-year-old son and is now seeking resentencing, claiming ineffective counsel.

Jonathan Hatami

The prosecutor who has opposed both of Fernandez's resentencing bids, calling the crimes 'one of the most heinous' he has seen.

George G. Lomeli

The Los Angeles County Superior Court judge who denied Fernandez's first petition for resentencing in 2021, saying the record supports that she was a 'major participant' in the murder.

Michael Sklar

One of the trial attorneys for Fernandez's co-defendant, Aguirre, who contended that Fernandez was responsible for much of the abuse.

Aguirre

Fernandez's co-defendant who was sentenced to death for his role in the torture and murder of the 8-year-old boy.

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What they’re saying

“These repeated requests to be re-sentenced are unfair and unjust to Gabriel, Gabriel's family, his siblings and our L.A. community. Having to continuously relive these events and trauma for the family is not humane.”

— Jonathan Hatami, Prosecutor

“You want to say that the conduct was animalistic, but that would be wrong because even animals know how to take care of their young ... It's beyond animalistic.”

— George G. Lomeli, Judge

“I want to say I'm sorry to my family for what I did ... I wish Gabriel was alive. Every day I wish that I made better choices.”

— Fernandez

What’s next

The judge will decide on Fernandez's latest petition for resentencing at a hearing on March 30, 2026.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking case continues to haunt the community and highlights the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable children from abuse, as well as the challenges of the criminal justice system in delivering justice for victims and their families.