Where Is Arnold Contreras? Know About Father Of Gabriel Fernandez?

The heartbreaking case of Gabriel Fernandez captured national attention for the horrific abuse the young boy faced at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend. But behind this tragic story is also the tale of Gabriel’s father, Arnold Contreras, who was absent for much of his son’s short life. 

This article looks deeper into Contreras’s background, his failures as a parent, and his struggles with the justice system. Examining the father’s role in this devastating case reveals important lessons about intervention and the need for systemic reforms to protect at-risk youth better.

Who Is Arnold Contreras?

Arnold Contreras was the father of Gabriel Fernandez, the young boy whose tragic story of abuse shocked the nation. Contreras was not present for much of Gabriel’s life, but he still played an important role in the aftermath of his son’s death. 

Contreras was born in 1982 and grew up in the Los Angeles area. As a teenager, he met Pearl Fernandez, who would later become Gabriel’s mother. Contreras and Fernandez were never married, but they had four children together, including Gabriel, born in 2005.

By many accounts, Contreras struggled with substance abuse and had frequent run-ins with the law throughout Gabriel’s early life. In 2009, when allegations of abuse emerged against Fernandez, Gabriel was placed in the custody of his great-uncle and partner. Around this time, Contreras was sentenced to prison for robbery and possession of a controlled substance.

With Contreras incarcerated, Gabriel was left in a vulnerable position. Fernandez regained custody of the boy in 2012 and soon after began subjecting him to severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse along with her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre. 

The abuse escalated over several months until Gabriel was murdered in May 2013 at 8 years old. Contreras was still in prison then and could not protect or defend his son. 

After being released from prison in 2016, Contreras spoke about his profound regret and sadness over Gabriel’s death. He admitted that he blamed himself for not being there for his son. Many viewed Contreras as another victim of the systemic failures that led to Gabriel’s death.

Relationship of Arnold Contreras with Pearl Fernandez

The relationship between Arnold Contreras and Gabriel’s mother, Pearl Fernandez, was always turbulent and marred by domestic violence. 

Despite never marrying, Fernandez and Contreras met as teenagers and had four children together. According to Contreras’ testimony, Fernandez disliked and resented Gabriel from a young age. 

There were multiple allegations of abuse against Fernandez concerning Gabriel as early as 2009. At one point, Fernandez was charged with battery against Contreras, but the case was eventually dismissed. 

Relatives say Fernandez was physically abusive toward her romantic partners, not Contreras. With his frequent arrests, Contreras was often absent and unable to protect Gabriel from Fernandez’ wrath.

In his court testimony after Gabriel’s death, Contreras admitted regretting the domestic violence within their relationship. He also stated that he opposed Gabriel living with Fernandez and assumed the boy would reside with his grandparents.

The lifelong toxicity between Contreras and Fernandez no doubt contributed to the neglect and abuse that Gabriel endured. Their tumultuous relationship prevented either parent from properly caring for or protecting their son when he needed them most.

What Became of Arnold Contreras?

In the years since Gabriel’s death, Arnold Contreras has faced further legal troubles that have landed him behind bars. However, he continues to mourn his son and call for justice publicly.

Not long after being released from prison in 2016, Contreras was arrested again in 2018 for acquiring and retaining personal identity information from a previous offense. 

According to records from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Contreras was convicted in May 2018 and sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison. In January 2019, he received an additional conviction for a similar charge, adding another year and 4 months to his sentence.

As of 2022, Contreras remains incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison. His expected release date is in February 2024. From his prison cell, Contreras gave an interview in 2019 expressing his continued grief over losing Gabriel. He stated that he thinks of his son daily and keeps photos of him in his cell. Contreras also supported the Netflix documentary series covering Gabriel’s case.

Beyond mourning his son, Contreras has a lengthy rap sheet with other convictions, including evading police, robbery, drug possession, and assault. He seems to have struggled to get his life on track even after the tragedy of losing Gabriel.

Where Is Arnold Contreras Now?

Arnold Contreras is serving time at Calipatria State Prison in California’s Imperial County. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, his expected release date is February 27, 2024. 

Contreras most recently received convictions in 2018 and 2019 for acquiring or possessing personal identifying information. He received a sentence of 3 years and 8 months to be served concurrently. 

These latest charges continue a long criminal activity and incarceration pattern for Contreras. His record includes prior convictions for robbery, drug offenses, evading police, and assault. 

While in prison, Contreras has given interviews expressing his deep remorse over not protecting Gabriel from harm. He has stated that he thinks of his son daily and keeps photos of Gabriel in his cell to remember him. 

Contreras has said that if released, he hopes to turn his life around, repair relationships with family, and be a better father to his surviving children. However, his expected release is still two years away in 2024.

After that, it remains to be seen if Contreras will finally break the cycle of criminality and substance abuse that has defined so much of his life. For now, he remains incarcerated, trying to make sense of the tragic death of his son Gabriel.

Reactions of Contrerason on his son’s death

The death of Gabriel Fernandez in 2013 shocked the nation because of the extreme cruelty and violence the young boy endured. For Gabriel’s father, Arnold Contreras, the news of his son’s murder was devastating.

Contreras publicly shared his grief and reactions at the 2018 sentencing hearing for Gabriel’s killer, Isauro Aguirre. Breaking down on the witness stand, Contreras spoke of his love for his son and regret for not protecting him.

“I miss him. I miss him a lot,” Contreras told the court. “I wish I was there to save him.”

Contreras placed much of the blame on Gabriel’s mother, his ex-Pearl Fernandez. He stated that Pearl resented the boy from a young age. 

Pearl Fernandez’s family corroborated this account, saying she was abusive toward her romantic partners and disliked Gabriel.

Contreras described Gabriel as a “typical kid” who liked “cops and robbers.” He said he wished he could have done more to gain custody and prevent the abuse.

Contreras added that he opposed Gabriel living with Pearl but assumed the boy would be cared for by his grandparents instead.

“I can’t sleep thinking about it,” Contreras said of Gabriel’s horrific death. “I wasn’t there for him.”

The lifelong regret Contreras felt was apparent as he sobbed on the stand. He stated Gabriel’s murder fundamentally changed his family forever. 

Beyond the court hearings, Contreras publicly posts memories of happier times with Gabriel over the years. He shares photos of Gabriel smiling and messages mourning his son’s death and the failure to protect him. 

Contreras’ reactions reveal the complex pain of a father who lost his child in an act of unthinkable evil. While deeply flawed, Contreras loved his son and bore the burden of unfathomable loss.

Where Is Arnold Contreras Now?

Currently, Arnold Contreras is incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison in California. Online records from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation show he has been in continuous custody since January 2019.

Contreras is serving a 3-year, 8-month sentence for acquiring or possessing personal identifying information from a prior offense. His expected release date is February 27, 

2024.

This is not Contreras’ first stint in prison. He has a lengthy criminal history with convictions for robbery, evading police, drug crimes, and assault. 

Tragically, Contreras was incarcerated on other charges when his son Gabriel was tortured and murdered by the boy’s mother and her boyfriend in 2013. 

From prison, Contreras has given interviews expressing his deep regret that he could not protect Gabriel from harm. He says he thinks of his son daily and keeps photos of Gabriel in his cell.

According to an interview in 2019, Contreras stated if he is released in 2024, he hopes to repair relationships, turn his life around and be a better father. However, his long background of substance abuse and criminal activity has prevented stability up to this point.

Wherever the future leads, Contreras is still coping with the loss of Gabriel and his failure to intervene. He bears the pain of a father unable to save his son from unimaginable cruelty.

Final Thoughts

The tragic case of Gabriel Fernandez shed light on grave failures by the systems meant to protect vulnerable children in California. But Gabriel’s story is also one of complex family dynamics, including a largely absent father, Arnold Contreras.

Contreras faced his struggles with addiction and the criminal justice system. While incarcerated for other offenses, his son Gabriel suffered horrific abuse for months at the hands of the boy’s mother and her boyfriend before being murdered at 8. 

From prison, Contreras expressed profound grief, regret and a feeling of powerlessness to protect his son. He mourns Gabriel still today.