EspañolThree Incarcerated Youths Returned to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey Following Mass Overdose Incident
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA (April 12, 2025) – Three minors were hospitalized after potentially overdosing on some substance at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place on Friday. The minors began to exhibit symptoms consistent with an overdose before being hospitalized.
They have since been released following a medical evaluation. Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey was supposed to close last year after an investigation by the state found that it was “unsuitable.”
The facility has faced numerous scandals over the years. Among other things, 30 officers at the facility have been charged for their role in facilitating “Gladiator Fights.”
According to a press release from the state Department of Justice, “The indictment alleges that the 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.”
Liability for Injuries at Los Angeles County Juvenile Halls
Overdoses remain a far too common occurrence at juvenile facilities across Los Angeles and California. Part of the problem is that many dangerous drugs are smuggled into these facilities. According to the Los Angeles Daily News, “Six months after the fentanyl-related death of an 18-year-old detainee, the Los Angeles County Probation Department plans to create an investigative team to trace the flow of drugs into the county’s juvenile facilities.” There are a number of measures that jails should take in order to prevent drug overdoses.
- Screening: Jails should screen all inmates for drug use and withdrawal risk.
- Naloxone: Jails should have naloxone in order to reverse the effects of a potential overdose.
- Security: Jails should tighten security related to mail, visitors, and the other common methods drugs are smuggled inside.
Jails have a legal obligation to protect all inmates from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from overdoses. If an inmate is overdosing, jail officials are required to provide prompt medical care. When a jail is deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. Failing to give inmates adequate medical care is a violation of their rights protected by the constitution.
When an inmate has their constitutional rights violated, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim under 42 U.S. Code § 1983. Consider, for example, Arguelles v. County of San Diego et al. A 16-year-old tragically died from a fentanyl overdose while staying at the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility. The facility reportedly failed to properly check on the at-risk teen and not prevent fentanyl from entering the facility. The county eventually settled with the boy’s mother. Several steps should be taken after any in-custody overdose.
- Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
- It should be determined how the substance involved in the overdose entered the jail.
- A thorough investigation into the incident should be conducted.
- An experienced civil rights attorney should be contacted.
It can be hard to know where to begin after an in-custody overdose. Sadly, jails will often do everything in their power to deny liability when an inmate in their care is harmed. Jails must remain particularly vigilant about protecting children in their care. But far too often, this does not take place. The family of any minor harmed in custody may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Los Angeles County Jail Injuries
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about this mass overdose incident at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. This was a preventable incident that should not have taken place. What makes this even worse is that this facility was supposed to close and yet remains open. City officials need to do their part and expedite the closure of this facility.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey? You may have legal recourse. Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
