A 34-year-old Palmdale woman pleaded guilty today to the first-degree murder of her 8-year-old son five years ago, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Pearl Sinthia Fernandez entered her plea to the murder count and admitted the special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture. She faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole when she is scheduled to be sentenced June 7.

Deputy District Attorneys Jon Hatami and Scott Yang prosecuted the case.

Fernandez and her 37-year-old boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, severely abused her son, Gabriel Fernandez, for months leading up to the boy's death on May 22, 2013. Gabriel was beaten by Aguirre because he believed the boy was gay.

Gabriel suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured skull, 12 broken ribs and burns, prosecutors said.

Aguirre was found guilty of first-degree murder and the special circumstance allegation of intentional murder by torture in November.

Jurors recommended the death penalty for Aguirre in December. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8.

Case BA425180 was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau.

Los Angeles District Attorney / Case BA425180 / February 15, 2018