Case dismissed against social workers charged in death of Gabriel Fernandez

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office had filed the charges of child abuse and falsifying records against social workers Stefanie Rodrigez, 35, and Patricia Clement, 59, as well as their respective supervisors, Kevin Bom, 41, and Gregory Merritt, 64, back in April 2016, almost three years after the Palmdale boy’s death.

The new action came after the state 2nd District Court of Appeal tossed the charges against the social workers, ruling the four “never had the requisite duty to control the abusers and did not have care or custody of Gabriel,” according to the Los Angeles Times.

Prosecutors alleged they mishandled evidence of abuse the boy faced at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, and missed repeated red flags.

Gabriel’s mother, Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, was sentenced to life in prison in June 2018 for her part in his death. Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, was sentenced to death.

The four were charged in March 2016 with one felony count each of child abuse and falsifying public records in connection with Gabriel Fernandez's death.

Case BA445260 charged social workers Stefanie Rodriguez (dob 4/16/85) and Patricia Clement (dob 7/27/50), and their respective supervisors, Kevin Bom (dob 6/3/79) and Gregory Merritt (dob 9/29/55), each with one felony count of child abuse and one felony count of falsifying public records. In January, the 2 nd District Court of Appeal opined that the trial judge should have granted a defense motion to dismiss the case. The appellate court issued a remittitur in April and returned jurisdiction to the trial court.