“The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” is a riveting Netflix documentary detailing how an 8 year old child was consistently let down by the system when he most needed help.

     This show chronicles how over 8 months Gabriel was subjected to horrific torture, which included regular beatings, being shot in the face with a BB gun, forced to eat cat litter, locked in a cupboard for hours, and pepper sprayed. This unthinkable nightmare ultimately ended for Gabriel when his mother and her boyfriend beat him to death.

     Because of this tragedy, charges of criminal negligence were filed against social workers who had seemingly accepted the mother’s lies during the investigation. However, the show suggests that there was plenty of blame to go around, including the Sheriffs Dept., one of the organizations investigated for corruption on many levels. Scenes from this trial were included in the Docu-series

     Producers used interviews, courtroom footage, and graphic photographs to bring this story to life. The tragic story of Gabriel unfolds first through the 911 call. Followed by an interview with an ER nurse who treated Gabriel the night of his death. In addition, the series includes police interviews of the two minors who witnessed Gabriel’s final moments. The show even goes in depth with the personal history of the attorney who tried the case and talked about his own history of abuse.

     The series was based on in-depth reporting by L.A. Times journalist Garrett Therolf. “I remember I was driving in Mississippi and talking to a source on another story, and Gabriel’s story had always stuck with her,” Therolf remembers. “She planted the seed in my head that a docuseries might be a good idea for a number of reasons, the intimacy of the camera, the importance of character and the opportunity to explore the issues raised by Gabriel’s death in even greater detail”, he tells Los Angeles Times. 

     Ratings for the series received 4.9 stars and 80% on Rotten Tomatoes. One viewer says, “I watch only documentaries, and this is the best one I have seen in my entire life. I highly recommend it. Not only does it tell the story of an important topic, but it does so in a sophisticated and honorable manner.”

     Another fan said, “This documentary was truly an eye-opener to me as it showed me how corrupt the social system is and how we need to do better as a society to protect those who are being abused. I watched this documentary and I have never felt so much rage and anger towards so many people in the Gaberial Fernandez case. I recommend this documentary to everyone as it is one of the best ones I have ever seen!”