Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.7 million to a teenager attacked in “gladiator fights” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where at least six youths assaulted him, allegedly with the approval of probation officers. The incident, which occurred in 2023, was captured on surveillance footage, showing officers standing by and even shaking hands with the attackers. A subsequent state grand jury charged 30 correctional officers for allowing or encouraging nearly 70 similar fights from July to December 2023, with charges including child endangerment and conspiracy.
The investigation commenced after the Los Angeles Times released the video during a court hearing, prompting the boy’s attorney, Jamal Tooson, to argue for his release, citing safety concerns at the facility. Tooson described the settlement as a “first step” in acknowledging the severe misconduct within the LA County Probation Department, highlighting the need for systemic reforms that protect all youth in detention.
In response to these incidents, a corrective action plan was proposed, which includes ensuring staff routinely monitor CCTV and improve protocols for medical care and parental notifications. A judge ruled in April that the Probation Department could no longer house juveniles at Los Padrinos, with plans for relocating over 100 youths. However, Tooson raised concerns about a broader “culture problem” within the probation facilities, citing numerous lawsuits related to physical and sexual abuses directed at minors. He emphasized that without a genuine shift in the attitudes and behaviors of those responsible for the care of these youths, similar incidents are likely to occur in the future.
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