Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Abuse — What To Do & Your Rights

Q: My child is currently at Los Padrinos — what can I do to help while keeping them safe?

Document any injuries and seek medical care as soon as possible. Preserve all records and speak with a lawyer before contacting the facility to ensure your child’s safety.

Q: Since there are criminal cases, does that mean my case is already won?

No. Criminal proceedings or settlements do not automatically resolve your individual claim. They may support your case, but you still need to file and pursue it separately.

Q: How soon do I need to act before important deadlines pass?

Claims against a public entity often have a six-month filing deadline under California’s Government Claims Act. If denied, you may have another six months to file suit. Consult an attorney quickly to confirm the exact timeline.

Q: If staff didn’t physically harm my child but failed to step in, does it still matter?

Yes. Staff negligence or failure to intervene can still create legal liability. These cases may be actionable and worth reviewing with a lawyer.

If you or your child has gone through harm at Los Padrinos, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. This page explains why the headlines matter, and what steps you and your family can take to protect your rights.

Have you experienced sexual assault or abuse?

We can help answer your questions and connect you with an attorney if you may have a case.

Were you sexually abused at a Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall?

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Were you under 18 years of age at the time of the abuse?

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Is Los Padrinos safe for the youth? Here’s what the public reports show:

Criminal charges against officers (2025): California’s Attorney General announced grand-jury indictments of 30 detention officers for allegedly organizing or allowing dozens of “gladiator fights” among youth in July–December 2023.^[1][2]
Civil settlement (2025): LA County agreed to pay ~$2.7 million to a teen who was beaten in a 2023 incident inside Los Padrinos; CCTV footage drew statewide scrutiny.^[3]
Ongoing BSCC oversight (2023–2025): State inspectors repeatedly reviewed LA County juvenile facilities and suitability status after significant compliance concerns.^[4][5]

The findings don’t determine your case, though they can help put the situation in context. If your child was affected at Los Padrinos, be sure to document every detail and talk to an attorney as soon as possible.

What to do in the next 72 hours

That first visit to your doctor or counselor can make a big difference in helping you and your child find a path ahead. Hold on to every note and discharge form. These records may help protect you and your child later.

If there are visible injuries or damaged clothing, take photos in good light from different angles, and add a timestamp if you can.

Save any records you have — texts, call logs, emails, letters, and grievances. These details could be important later.

Writing down a timeline with dates can be very helpful. Note who was there, what happened, where, and when — and add staff names if you know them.

Keep information private for now to protect your case. Get guidance from a lawyer before making any contact with the facility.

If you’re unsure where to start, we can give you a CPRA letter and the correct “Custodian of Records” email for LA County.

Deadlines that could limit your case

If a county facility is involved, California’s Government Claims Act usually gives you 6 months to file a claim, though some cases allow up to 1 year. If the claim is denied, you generally have another 6 months to take the next step in court. Don’t wait — families who connect with us early often find they have more options.

What records you can ask for under CPRA if your case involves Los Padrinos

To help protect your child, you and your family may request non-confidential copies of:

Any reports of incidents or use of force involving your child
Copies of medical treatment notes and transport records connected to your child
Records of which staff were assigned to the housing unit at the time
Written policies explaining how cameras are used, how long footage is kept, how incidents are reported, and how youth are protected
PREA audit reports and any corrective action plans
Records that show the number of grievances and how they were resolved when tied to safety or abuse concerns.

We can help you choose the right date ranges and wording so LA County is required to respond within CPRA deadlines.

How our lawyers support families from the very beginning

Here’s how we help: investigation, protecting evidence, filing a government claim, and — if necessary — pursuing a civil lawsuit that may lead to negotiation or trial. We take care of the hard work, and you won’t pay anything up front (contingency fees may apply).

Frequently Asked Questions

My child is currently at Los Padrinos — what can I do to help while keeping them safe?

Take care to document injuries and seek medical help for your child. Speak with a lawyer about safe next steps that protect your child’s well-being.

Since there are criminal cases, does that mean my case is already won?

Even if criminal charges or settlements exist, they don’t resolve your personal case on their own. What they can do, however, is offer important context that may help your family’s claim.

How soon do I need to act before important deadlines pass?

In some cases, you may have only 6 months to file a claim against a public entity. If that claim is denied, you generally have 6 more months to bring a lawsuit.

If staff didn’t physically harm my child but failed to step in, does it still matter?

Even if staff didn’t cause the harm directly, ignoring or allowing it to happen can still be legally actionable. Speak with a lawyer about the details of your situation.

Sources

Take the First Step

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