About the Project
The Gabriel Fernandez Project is a compassionate, research-driven initiative dedicated to honoring the memory of Gabriel Fernandez by advocating for systemic change in child welfare. Through in-depth storytelling, legal analysis, and multimedia resources, the project aims to shed light on the failures that led to Gabriel's tragic death and to promote reforms that protect vulnerable children. By focusing on legal accountability, media influence, and community advocacy, this platform serves as an educational tool and a call to action for policymakers, educators, and the public.​
The Creator of This Website
Mia Carrillo is a Journalism and Media Communications senior at Colorado State University, with a minor in Criminal Justice. Her academic and professional journey has been guided by a passion for social justice, community empowerment, and storytelling that makes a difference.
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Having worked firsthand within the criminal justice system, Mia has seen its flaws up close—how cases fall through the cracks, how voices go unheard, and how systems meant to protect sometimes fail. These experiences have only deepened her commitment to using media as a force for truth, advocacy, and systemic reform.
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The story of Gabriel Fernandez deeply touched Mia’s heart. As a sister herself, she felt an emotional connection to Gabriel’s innocence, and a devastating grief for what he endured. His story fueled her
mission to give a voice to the voiceless and build a world where every child is safe, seen, and supported.
Through this project, Mia honors Gabriel’s memory not with sensationalism, but with purpose: to tell his story with care, to hold systems accountable, and to help prevent tragedies like his from ever happening again.