LA County to Pay $2.7 Million to Teen Injured in ‘Gladiator Fights’ at Juvenile Detention Facility

Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.7 million to a teenager who was brutally attacked at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where multiple “gladiator fights” among young detainees occurred with the purported involvement of probation officers. This incident, which took place in 2023, was captured on surveillance video, showing the teenager being overwhelmed by at least six peers while officers watched and, at times, interacted with the fighters.

In March, a state grand jury charged 30 correctional officers for allowing and even encouraging about 70 fights between minors from July to December 2023. These officers face severe charges, including child endangerment, conspiracy, and battery.

According to authorities, the youthful victims, aged 12 to 18, were part of a troubling pattern of planned violence within the facility. Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that the fights were systematically organized, often scheduled for specific times and locations.

The investigation was sparked by video footage obtained by the Los Angeles Times, which depicted the 16-year-old boy’s assault, prompting concerns about safety at Los Padrinos. His attorney, Jamal Tooson, described the settlement as a vital acknowledgment of the “egregious” behaviors by the LA County Probation Department.

Tooson emphasized the need for systemic change to protect all youths in similar situations, highlighting prior lawsuits against the department for related misconduct. In response to the turmoil, a corrective action plan has been set in motion to improve oversight and safety measures in the facility.

This includes regular monitoring of CCTV footage and better procedures for ensuring medical care and parental notification. A judge previously ruled that juveniles could not remain at Los Padrinos, leading to plans to relocate over 100 detainees.

Tooson warns, however, that a deeper “culture problem” within the probation department necessitates comprehensive reform far beyond just procedural changes to prevent further incidents.