By Breanna Chico
The recent death of Noah Cuatro has left many AV residents angry and disillusioned with the systems put in place to protect vulnerable children. The circumstances leading up to Cuatro’s death echo those of Gabriel Fernandez and Anthony Avalos; signs of abuse were evident, they were reported, and then were seemingly ignored by The Department of Children and Family Services until the abuses escalated into fatalities. In response to the death of
Gabriel Fernandez in 2013, Assemblyman Tom Lackey proposed the first draft of what today is known as Gabriel’s Law (AB1450).
The bill would establish what Lackey describes as an “online database for cross-reporting crimes against children, allowing for child welfare departments, the district attorney’s office and law enforcement to share reports of abuse and neglect so that no child’s suffering gets overlooked.” It is true, as Lackey says that these children’s suffering went overlooked, though it isn’t the only thing these cases have in common.
It was revealed during the trial of Gabriel Fernandez that his mother and her boyfriend “called Gabriel gay, punished him when he played with dolls and forced him to wear girls’ clothes to school.” Similarly, in the case of Anthony Avalos it was reported that “days before his death Anthony apparently came out as gay. ‘I like boys’ he said.” Details from Cuatro’s case have not been revealed yet as an investigation is currently underway.
It is common practice for abusers to prey on those they see as weak or less deserving of respect than others. One could imagine sadists like the caretakers responsible for these boys’ deaths took any excuse to punish these children, with the idea that the violence inflicted upon them will make them into better, more manageable individuals. Punishments for feminine and queer traits in males is nothing new. There is in fact an entire psuedo-psychological practice known as conversion therapy that seeks to force queer and trans folk into changing their gender identity or sexual orientation.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and American Psychological Association, conversion therapy causes considerable harm on the physical, mental, and emotional health of the individuals subjected to it, some even take their own lives in the process, and yet in April 2018, while pushing for the passage of what is known today as Gabriel’s Law and two months before Avalos would be found dead, Lackey voted against an assembly bill that would prohibit consumer products advertising conversion therapy.
In May of the same year he also voted against AB 2945, which would authorize medicaid benefits for undocumented children. When Lackey says “children’s safety should be put first” I wonder which children he’s speaking of? No doubt undocumented children are victims of abuse, do they not deserve medical care for their wounds? The mental and physical abuse perpetrated in conversion therapy bares a stark resemblance to the scenes of torture and anti-gay rhetoric described by Fernandez’s siblings, yet the Assemblyman did not feel compelled to keep advertisements for this brand of therapy out of this community.
It is concerning that the Assemblyman would not take a chance to prevent children from being in harm’s way when the opportunity presented itself. His remedy for the emerging child abuse epidemic, an online database, has yet to pass in spite of multiple rewrites to the bill. Los Angeles County already has a system implemented in 2009 that links DCFS Protection Hotline with the District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and 45 other municipal police departments, and all city prosecutor’s offices. We know the problem wasn’t the powers that be not being aware of the situation but in their lack of action with regards to the situation.
Opposition to Gabriel’s Law states that the proposed bill “fails to specify which agencies will have access to the information contained in the proposed 58 county databases or how they are authorized to use the information, stating only that there will be information sharing ‘including but not limited to cross-reporting among the county welfare department, the district attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies. Nor does the bill require that
implementation include safeguards against unauthorized access.” opposition goes on to say “A similar lack of safeguards and due process protections led to terrible due process violations and abuses regarding California’s statewide database of child abuse reports, the Child Abuse Central Index.”
As we saw with the search of Arbor Fields apartments in response to the recent sniper hoax perpetrated by Deputy Angel Reinosa in Lancaster, violations of privacy aren’t the way to stop or solve crimes, whether the crimes be real or fictitious. One must consider the power dynamics present in these situations. Why did these adults feel entitled to treat these children like their own personal punching bags? What examples of toxic masculinity, discipline, punishment, and dominance are at play in our community? Can a politician who regularly votes against the rights of vulnerable minority populations, children included, properly address a power struggle?
In the Assemblyman’s recent commentary, he said “How many more young people in our community need to be victimized before the Legislature acts?” A very good question indeed, how many more young people need to suffer because of Tom Lackey’s decision to let them suffer? To choose to not represent them, though he has been elected to do so. Commendable as it is that the Assemblyman has taken some steps to address this issue, it is evident that this bill is not the way forward. If he truly wishes to prevent more deaths such as these, he needs to empower the voiceless in his community and be an example for tolerance and empathy himself.
About the author: Breanna Chico is Civic Engagement Director for The Comedy Resistance.
–
Daneld says
Anyone who believes that DCFS doesn’t already cross reference things is either stupid, gullible or Just uninformed. They cross reference everything. But they just don’t care.. DCFS is trying to have laws passed to make it easier for them to permanently remove children from the families home and easier to adopt or because that’s when they get paid. They get nothing if the child is returned home. Social workers and juvenile court judges, lawyers etc., Deny this but it’s clearly written into the sage families and adoption act signed into law by bill Clinton there text of which is easily found online and costs nothing to read. And trust me, the triple at DCFS do not care if a few children have to die to obtain their goals. Selling children like used cars is a multi BILLION DOLLAR industry especially here in California. The government has as word for these children. The same one used when they sacrificed military personnel. They call them expendable. Anyone who doesn’t believe what I say is true get involved in the system. Do some volunteer work at DCFS. You will see these people care less for children of any race Creed or religion than Hitler did for the Jews. Speaking of Hitler, he was the one who first counted the term,” best interest of the child’s,” which DCFS is so gonna of. But I’m upsetting myself so I’ll stop. Anyone who doesn’t believe, get into the system and learn the truth. Just make sure you learn these words. Come back with a warrant. Used them when DCFS comes knocking on your door
Mars says
Recently I was attacked at a Walmart for speaking up to a parent about the physical and verbal abuse she was inflicting on her children…Long story short…Report made after I forced the police(I refused to leave without report # in my hand)For all good that did I am still waiting for a detective to follow up and contact me..Yes I have physically gone in person several times asking about what, when, who, why..Still No Answers except the detective will contact you.. I feel like nothing will be done..Just like nothing was done when My oldest daughter was murdered and the detective at the time said “We are looking into it..” ..It’s 20years later No answers.
I expect this incident will be the same. No matter where in L.A. we live Tge answers are all the same…
I’m Sorry for all those hurt or killed Now & In the future..Someone needs to be those children’s voices
Alby says
What else can you expect from a bunch of feckless chin-pullers that hide behind the almighty badge.
Magnetlady says
This article is all about ”Redistribution Of Wealth”… CA taxpayers are paying a LOT of our hard earned money to support the ”Undocumented Illegal Aliens” coming across our borders EVERY DAY!! They love CA because it’s a ”Sanctuary State”, compliments of our LIBERAL GOVERNOR!! There are more benefits allowed to Illegals than American Citizens…. Hang STRONG ”ASSEMBLYMAN LACKEY”… One day there may be some COMMON SENSE in CA… #BUILDTHEWALL, #TRUMP2020
PalmdalePupster says
Interesting insights. How much are CA tax payers paying to support undocumented immigrants? What kind of support are the undocumented immigrants receiving? And what benefits are being given to undocumented immigrants that you yourself are forbidden from receiving as a tax paying citizen?
You come across as a very informed and intelligent person, and I’m hoping you can share some of the facts and figures behind your statements. You seem very confident in your words — what are your sources?
Thanks!
Cody says
Whisky tango.
Kathy says
Noah Cuatro, Anthony Avalos and Gabriel Fernandez murdered at the hands of their own parents! Tortured is the word I should say. These poor innocent children. Two of the three are said to have “come out”. What in the heck do these children know about their sexuality at these ages? These children were not protected. Family knew about the abuse of each of these children but did not do enough to save them. Are all of these parents legal because if not they should be sent back where they came from. I see one of the grandparents is suing for millions of dollars. She couldn’t demand to keep her grandson but she sure don’t hesitate to go for money! This disgusts me, especially if you are not here legally. As far as Gabriel Fernandez’s teacher, everyone failed him you however, should have taken him with you and demanded he be protected. You saw with your own eyes the torture he went through from all the scars and bruises. Shame on you. The scars from the abuse would have made me take him home with me and I would have done everything in my power to protect any one of these children from these monsters. These innocent children should have been protected by every single person that knew about the torture and abuse. I am broken hearted for these beautiful children. No more suffering. You now know what it is to be loved.
Tito says
Bingo! That editorial was not about safe guarding children, it was about providing services for undocumented children: At tax payer expense.
If you really want to protect children, eliminate “anonymous” reporting to the abuse hotlines.
Make it illegal (felony) to anonymously report to any hotline. All reporters must be able to substantiate their claims or risk a fine and imprisonment.
Make it mandatory that any csw who falsifies a report be criminally prosecuted with felonies and immediately forfeits employment as a social worker for the rest of their lives.
Keith says
sounds like this author is mad tom lackey does not support undocumented children why should he is sworn in to protect American Citizens. I am not willing to shell out more of my hard earned money for undocumented aliens it is hard enough to make a living in California especially in LA County this is not fair to the hard working tax payer when undocumented get away with free aid.
Kiki says
Don’t be mad your money won’t make a difference I can bet you that they don’t get [removed] handed to them they have better things than you do ..guarantted
keith says
what, makes sense who understand your gibberish.