LA County to Pay $2.7M to Teen Hurt in Jail Fight Ring

LA County to Pay $2.7M to Teen Hurt in Jail Fight Ring

Introduction

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.7 million to a teenager who was brutally beaten by at least six other youths at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in a 2023 incident allegedly orchestrated and condoned by probation officers.

The violent encounter was part of a series of so-called “gladiator fights” within the facility.

Surveillance Video Reveals Officer Complicity

The beating, captured on surveillance footage, showed the 16-year-old being attacked by other detainees one after another, while several officers stood by and failed to intervene. The video, made public during a court hearing, also showed some staff members shaking hands with participants after the incident. The boy’s public defender presented the footage to argue for his release, citing safety concerns.

Dozens of Officers Criminally Charged

In March, a California state grand jury indicted 30 correctional officers on charges including child endangerment, battery, and conspiracy. Authorities allege that these officers enabled or encouraged nearly 70 fights between July and December 2023. More than 140 youths, aged 12 to 18, were identified as victims of the orchestrated violence.

Fights Were Allegedly Pre-Planned

California’s Attorney General stated that the violent encounters were not spontaneous, but often pre-arranged by staff. “They created the time and space for these fights to happen,” he said, describing what appeared to be an organized system of abuse at the facility.

Legal and Policy Responses

The teen’s attorney described the $2.7 million settlement as a necessary first step in holding the LA County Probation Department accountable for its “egregious” misconduct. “This is not just about protecting my client,” he said. “It’s about safeguarding all children in county custody.”

He also noted that this case is not isolated, revealing he represents several other individuals who were harmed at Los Padrinos. So far, he has filed at least 19 lawsuits alleging abuses ranging from permitted violence to sexual assault at LA County’s youth detention facilities.

Facility Criticized for Policy Failures

An internal correction action plan from the Probation Department identified multiple failures in how the 2023 attack was handled. Staff allegedly delayed medical care, failed to inform the boy’s parents promptly, and neglected to review CCTV footage in a timely manner. To prevent future incidents, the department pledged to conduct regular CCTV audits, improve staffing, and ensure immediate medical response and parental notification for injured detainees.

Los Padrinos Ordered to Shut Down

In April, a judge barred the county from housing juveniles at Los Padrinos. The decision followed mounting pressure and prior orders from California’s correctional oversight board. A plan was approved in May to transfer over 100 youths out of the troubled facility.

Ongoing Concerns About Systemic Culture

The boy’s attorney criticized the county’s corrective measures as insufficient, warning of a deeply ingrained “culture problem” within the probation department. “Until we begin changing the mindset and behavior of those responsible for caring for these youth, these tragedies will keep happening,” he said.