Social Workers Charged in Death of Young Boy in Los Angeles

April 7, 2016

Four social workers were charged with negligently handling the case of a young boy in Los Angeles. The boy, Gabriel Fernandez, suffered severe injuries at their hands which ultimately resulted in his unfortunate death. He was 8 years old and the injuries on his body were described as “gruesome”.

The four social workers allegedly falsified records regarding the treatment of the boy as well. It is suspected that they altered the records to hide their crimes against the child. Two of the social workers were supervisors while the other two were low-level employees. All the social workers were fired last year after an initial investigation, but it has taken until now to bring them to trial.

According to the Department of Children and Family Services, Gabriel was regularly beaten by his mother as well as her boyfriend. At the time of his death, he had broken ribs, severe burns on his body, a fractured skull, and other injuries. His mother has and her boyfriend have pleaded not guilty of the crime.

The 4 social workers are being held accountable because it is alleged they knew of the abuse the boy faced in his home. It is thought they falsified records to hide the fact that he was being beaten and recommended the boy stay with his abusive mother rather than with his father.