EspañolCalifornia Attorney General Announces Charges Against 30 Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Officers For Allegedly Facilitating Unsanctioned “Gladiator Fights” Between Minors
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA (April 15, 2025) – California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced that 30 officers at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey will be charged for their role in facilitating fights between minors.
The charges were announced in a press release by the Office of the Attorney General. According to the press release, “officers allowed and, in some instances, encouraged 69 fights to occur between youths at Los Padrinos during the period from July 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.”
The charges come after a video of one of the “gladiator fights’ was leaked last year. In all, there are roughly 143 victims between the ages of 12 and 18. There were 69 related incidents over a span of six months.
A copy of the indictment can be found here. The troubled Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall remains open, though it has been ordered to shut down.
A full investigation into all of the incidents remains ongoing.
Liability for Injuries at Juvenile Hall Facilities
Violence and abuse at juvenile detention facilities remain an all too common occurrence. Much of the abuse has resulted in legal claims. According to National Public Radio, “Since the start of the year, there have been lawsuits filed in at least four states, including the one in Illinois. In April, more than 150 people sued New York City. In February, 63 people sued Maryland, bringing the total there to at least 200 people who have sued since last fall. In January, 50 people sued New Jersey.” There are a number of factors that can contribute to abuse at a youth detention facility.
- Individual Factors: Many youths at detention facilities have undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues. Addressing these should be of great importance to a detention facility.
- Environmental: Overcrowding at a detention facility can increase the stress and tension that contributes to violence.
- Systemic Issues: Staff at youth detention facilities may not be properly trained to de-escalate encounters.
- Oversight: Abuse is much more likely to take place in an environment where there is little to no oversight or supervision.
Jails have a legal obligation to protect all inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting inmates from violence at the hands of staff and other inmates. When a jail fails to adequately protect incarcerated youths from violence, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is important that certain measures are taken after any instance of violence at a youth detention facility.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to any injuries should be collected.
- Surveillance Footage: Youth detention facilities often have surveillance cameras that may have captured some instance of violence or misconduct. This should be sought.
- Jail Records: All records related to the misconduct should be thoroughly reviewed. In many cases, certain officers will have a history of improper behavior.
- Legal Counsel: It is important that victims of abuse and youth facilities seek the guidance of an experienced civil rights attorney.
By the time any officer is charged with misconduct at a juvenile facility, there were often numerous red flags that were missed. Part of the problem is that those in positions of power at the facility are turning a blind eye to the misconduct that is happening in their midst. Any person that is harmed at a juvenile facility may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil rights claim. A civil rights attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Misconduct at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the allegations of misconduct at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. It is deeply concerning that abuse this widespread allegedly took place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed while staying at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall? You may have legal recourse. Our team of civil rights attorneys is committed to helping victims of abuse and neglect get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
