LOS ANGELES (AP) A shocking development at a Southern California juvenile detention facility has led to the indictment of thirty officers for their involvement in facilitating “gladiator fights” among the youth in their care. According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a grand jury indictment revealed that officers at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles County permitted and sometimes actively encouraged nearly 70 fights between July 2023 and December 2023. More than 140 young individuals, aged between 12 and 18, were reportedly involved in these violent altercations.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the premeditated nature of these incidents, stating, “We believe that this was planned, it was intended.” He noted that the officers organized fights to occur at specific times and locations, creating an environment where violence was anticipated and tolerated. The officers now face serious charges, including child endangerment, abuse, conspiracy, and battery.
On Monday, twenty-two of the indicted officers were scheduled to appear for arraignment at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The investigation into these alarming events commenced after the Los Angeles Times published footage showing a 17-year-old boy being assaulted by a group of six other youths while officers stood by, appearing to laugh and interact casually with the assailants.
The disturbing video was initially revealed during a court hearing related to the 17-year-old's case. His public defender argued that the juvenile was not safe in the facility and should be released ahead of his trial. The indictment specifically highlights the actions of two probation officers who allegedly informed staff prior to the fights about the planned events, instructing them not to intervene or document the occurrences. One officer even reportedly advised the youths involved to “refuse treatment” when they sought medical attention.
In response to this scandal, the LA County Probation Department, responsible for operating Los Padrinos, issued a statement expressing support for the attorney general’s office and confirming that all implicated officers are currently on paid leave. The department asserted its commitment to accountability and emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, especially by officers who work with vulnerable young people.
Jamal Tooson, the attorney representing the 17-year-old and his family in a civil lawsuit against the county, described the indictment as “the tip of the iceberg,” suggesting a broader systemic issue within the probation department. Tooson articulated concerns regarding a prevailing culture that fosters violence and a lack of accountability among staff. He highlighted the indifference of other youths present during the fights, implying that such violence may have become routine in the facility.
Furthermore, Tooson is representing several other families whose children have experienced harm at the hands of staff at Los Padrinos, including a case where a child suffered a traumatic brain injury after being knocked unconscious in a classroom incident.
