Thirty officers from a juvenile detention center in Southern California have been charged for allegedly allowing and even encouraging violent fights between young detainees. The state’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, made the announcement on Monday.
According to a grand jury indictment, these officers worked at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles County. They are accused of facilitating nearly 70 fights between July and December 2023. More than 140 young people, aged 12 to 18, were reportedly forced into these fights.
Attorney General Bonta stated that the fights were not random but planned. Officers allegedly arranged specific times and places for the fights to occur. “They wanted them to happen at the beginning of the day, in certain locations,” Bonta said. “A space and time were set aside for these fights.”
The officers now face serious charges, including child endangerment, abuse, conspiracy, and battery. On Monday, 22 of them were scheduled to appear in court for their arraignment.
This shocking case came to light after the Los Angeles Times obtained and published a disturbing video. The footage shows a 17-year-old boy being attacked by at least six other youths while officers watched. Some of the officers were seen laughing and shaking hands with the attackers. The video was later shown in court when the teen’s public defender argued that he was unsafe at Los Padrinos and should be released before his trial.
The indictment highlights the involvement of two probation officers who allegedly informed staff in advance about the fights. According to the charges, these officers instructed staff not to intervene, report, or document anything. One officer allegedly told the youth involved to refuse medical treatment after being injured in the fights.
The Los Angeles County Probation Department, which oversees the facility, expressed full support for the attorney general’s actions. In a statement, they confirmed that all officers involved are currently on leave without pay. “Our department immediately sought law enforcement help when we discovered this misconduct,” the statement said. “We have zero tolerance for such behavior, especially towards young people in our care.”
Attorney Jamal Tooson, who represents the 17-year-old victim and his family in a civil case against the county, said the indictment only scratches the surface of a much larger issue. “There is a culture that allows violence and discourages accountability,” Tooson stated. He also represents other families, including one whose child suffered a traumatic brain injury after being knocked unconscious in a classroom.
Many believe this case is just the beginning of uncovering deeper problems within the juvenile justice system
