LA County Settles Juvenile Abuse Claims for $4 Billion

LA County Settles Juvenile Abuse Claims for $4 Billion

Introduction

Los Angeles County has agreed to a $4 billion settlement to resolve nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in its juvenile detention and foster care facilities, dating back to 1959.

The groundbreaking agreement, pending approval by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, would become the largest collective sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history, surpassing the $2.6 billion settlement reached by the Boy Scouts of America in 2022.

A Long-Overdue Apology

Fesia Davenport, the county’s chief executive, issued a heartfelt apology on behalf of the county. “I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts,” she said, acknowledging the deep trauma endured by the survivors over the decades.

Abuse in Foster Care and Juvenile Facilities

The lawsuits were brought forward by thousands of individuals who claim they were sexually abused and mistreated while in the county’s care. These incidents occurred in various settings, including juvenile detention centers and foster care systems. The victims were able to sue under a 2020 California law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

MacLaren Children’s Center at the Center of Allegations

A significant number of the claims stem from abuse at the now-defunct MacLaren Children’s Center. The facility, originally established in 1961 as a temporary home for children awaiting foster placement, became notorious for widespread mistreatment. Managed by the probation department until 1976, the facility later fell under the supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services before closing in 2003.

According to court documents, children at MacLaren were subjected not only to sexual abuse but also to solitary confinement, forced sedation, and physical restraint. One survivor recalled being molested by a physician at age 8, while another said he was assaulted by a male staff member in a bathroom at the age of 5.

A Step Toward Justice and Closure

One of the plaintiffs’ attorneys described the outcome as “bittersweet.” “Nothing can undo the damage that was done or the suffering these individuals have endured,” the attorney said. “But this settlement hopefully offers some measure of justice and closure.”

Part of a Larger National Reckoning

This settlement joins a growing list of large-scale abuse payouts by public and private organizations. In addition to the Boy Scouts’ $2.6 billion settlement, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles agreed to pay $800 million in 2023, bringing its total clergy abuse settlements to over $1.5 billion.

Budget Strains and Reforms Ahead

The announcement of the historic settlement comes at a time of increasing financial strain for Los Angeles County. With a $49 billion annual budget, the county is grappling with additional costs related to natural disasters, an escalating homelessness crisis, and potential federal funding cuts. Davenport noted the county faces significant “budget uncertainty,” particularly for departments reliant on federal aid.

Safeguards and System Overhaul

As part of the agreement, officials plan to introduce several reforms aimed at preventing future abuse. These include launching a countywide hotline for reporting child sexual abuse involving employees and implementing a faster process for handling and investigating such allegations.

“This resolution balances accountability with the need for systemic reform,” one attorney said. “It not only acknowledges the harm done but also aims to protect future generations and build a safer, more transparent system.”