REMEMBERING GABRIELLE
Gabrielle Paige Randel, lovingly known as Gabby, was born on December 1, 2006. She was just two years old when her life was taken on March 8, 2009, in Tampa, Florida.
Gabrielle was a little girl who deserved the safety, comfort, and protection of the adults responsible for her care. Instead, she suffered a violent assault at the hands of her mother's boyfriend, Kenneth G. Lopez, while her mother, Danielle Nicole McCleary, was present.
Gabrielle's life ended before she could celebrate her third birthday, attend kindergarten, or experience so many of the milestones of childhood.
She was only two years old.
Gabrielle's Story
Gabrielle lived with her mother, Danielle Nicole McCleary, her three year old brother, and her mother's boyfriend, Kenneth G. Lopez.
The family had recently moved from Illinois to Florida and had been staying at the Homestead Inn on Beaumont Center Boulevard in Tampa for approximately two weeks.
On March 7, 2009, Gabrielle was in Room 108 of the motel when Lopez became angry because she would not stop crying or go to sleep.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Lopez restrained Gabrielle by wrapping a towel around her arms and torso. He then wrapped her in a blanket that covered her face.
While Gabrielle was restrained, Lopez repeatedly struck her body.
Investigators later reported that Lopez admitted to the assault, describing his actions as an attempt to discipline the little girl.
The violence caused Gabrielle to lose consciousness and stop breathing.
Her mother, Danielle McCleary, was present during the assault.
According to investigators, McCleary witnessed Lopez restrain and beat her daughter but did not intervene to stop him.
She initially denied knowing what had happened. However, investigators reported that she later admitted witnessing the violence and failing to protect Gabrielle.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. on March 8, 2009, McCleary called emergency services.
Gabrielle was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition.
Despite medical efforts to save her, Gabrielle died at approximately 1:00 p.m. that afternoon.
She was just two years old.
Gabrielle's three year old brother had also been present at the motel.
Authorities reported that he was subsequently placed in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
News coverage of the investigation described an additional disturbing discovery involving Gabrielle's brother, who reportedly had an insulting word written across his forehead in marker.
The circumstances raised concerns about the treatment of both children in the household.
Gabrielle's death was the result of deliberate violence inflicted upon a defenseless child.
She had been restrained, struck repeatedly, and left with injuries from which she could not recover.
Warning Signs and System Failures
Gabrielle's death exposed a devastating failure of protection within her own home.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, her mother was present while Kenneth Lopez restrained and assaulted her.
Investigators stated that Danielle McCleary witnessed the violence but did not attempt to stop it.
She also initially denied knowledge of the assault before later admitting that she had seen what happened.
Gabrielle was only two years old and could not protect herself or escape the violence.
Her three year old brother was also present in the motel room, placing another young child in an environment where serious abuse occurred.
Authorities removed him from the home following Gabrielle's death.
The available reporting does not establish whether child protective services had received earlier complaints about Gabrielle's safety before the fatal assault.
However, the documented failure of an adult present during the attack to intervene became a central part of the criminal investigation.
Gabrielle depended on her mother and the other adults around her for protection.
That protection was not provided when she needed it most.
JUSTICE FOR GABRIELLE
Following Gabrielle's death, investigators with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office arrested Kenneth G. Lopez.
Lopez, who was 21 years old at the time, admitted to detectives that he had restrained Gabrielle and repeatedly struck her because she would not stop crying or go to sleep.
He was initially charged with aggravated child abuse, and the criminal case subsequently included a first degree murder charge.
On April 3, 2009, authorities arrested Gabrielle's mother, Danielle Nicole McCleary.
Investigators alleged that McCleary had witnessed the assault but failed to intervene.
She was charged with aggravated child neglect for failure to protect and aggravated manslaughter of a child.
In August 2011, Lopez entered a negotiated guilty plea to second degree murder and aggravated child abuse.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by 20 years of probation.
The sentencing brought a documented criminal outcome against the man responsible for the fatal assault.
McCleary's arrest and charges are confirmed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, but her final criminal case outcome has not been independently verified.
Kenneth G. Lopez
Relationship to Gabrielle: Mother's boyfriend
Conviction(s): Second degree murder and aggravated child abuse
Sentence: 20 years in prison followed by 20 years of probation
Danielle Nicole McCleary
Relationship to Gabrielle: Mother
Charge(s): Aggravated child neglect and aggravated manslaughter of a child
Conviction(s): Not verified
Sentence: Not verified
FOREVER REMEMBERED
Gabrielle Paige Randel was known as Gabby.
She was a little girl whose life had barely begun.
At two years old, Gabrielle should have been surrounded by the simple joys of childhood, playing, learning new words, exploring the world, and discovering the things that made her happy.
She should have been comforted when she cried.
She should have been held gently when she was tired.
She should have been able to fall asleep knowing she was safe.
Instead, Gabrielle endured violence from an adult who was supposed to care for her.
Her death on March 8, 2009, took away a future filled with possibilities.
She would never celebrate her third birthday.
She would never experience her first day of school or the many ordinary moments that should have followed.
Gabrielle was more than the circumstances of her death.
She was a daughter.
She was a sister.
She was Gabby.
Her name represents a real little girl whose life mattered and whose future deserved protection.
Although the available records tell us more about the violence that ended her life than about her favorite activities or everyday personality, Gabrielle deserves to be remembered with dignity and compassion.
Her story is a reminder that no child should suffer violence for crying, struggling to sleep, or expressing the ordinary needs of childhood.
Gabrielle deserved patience, kindness, and love.
She deserved to grow up.
She deserved to be safe.
Her life was brief, but it will not be forgotten.
Abuse Angels remembers Gabrielle Paige Randel.
Remembered. Honored. Never Forgotten.
