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LA County agrees to pay nearly $2.7 million to victim of beating at juvenile hall
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey
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Robert Garrova / LAist
)
Topline:
Los Angeles County has agreed to pay nearly $2.7 million to settle a claim brought by a teenager who was attacked by other youths at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
Why it matters: The case centered on a beating captured on security cameras in 2023, during which officers stood by and watched the attack, according to the plaintiffs. A grand jury indictment alleges this was part of a series of “gladiator fights” that officers at Los Padrinos allowed and encouraged. Just under 70 fights took place between July 2023 and December 2023, according to the indictment.
The backstory: A state board found that Los Padrinos was “unsuitable” to house youth because of staffing and safety reasons. They found that staffing was consistently below minimum standards and that youths were confined to their cells for longer than they should and missed medical appointments.
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What's next? Thirty correctional officers have been charged in Superior Court with child endangerment, abuse, battery and other felonies. In keeping with a plan revealed last month by the county Probation Department, around 100 youths are being moved from Los Padrinos to other facilities. County authorities said in early May that all the youth were expected to be moved within 30 days.
Go deeper: 30 LA County probation officers are accused of allowing 'gladiator fights' in juvenile hall
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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