In a startling case of child endangerment and abuse, 30 officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey stand accused of facilitating and sometimes encouraging "gladiator fights" among minors, with ages ranging from 12 to 18, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday, as reported by NBC Los Angeles and other local media outlets.
Investigations into the juvenile detention center began following the leak of disturbing footage in January 2024, which depicted a minor being assaulted by other youths as detention officers apparently stood by; the video now at the center of the scandal showed officers laughing and even shaking hands with attackers, during a series of 69 brawls that took place between July and December of the previous year, the probe found as much as 140 children were forced into confrontations according to a Fox LA report.
"They did have multiple gladiator-type fights between individuals with probation officers employed by LA County right there in the room watching, not intervening, not keeping the young people they were charged with taking care of safe," Bonta lamented in a statement obtained by Fox LA.
The officers are now facing charges of child endangerment, child abuse, conspiracy, and battery, with 22 of those arraigned and the remaining eight expected in court on April 18; one defense attorney, Tom Yu, whose client is among the accused, has already entered a not guilty plea claiming, "They didn't know about these fights," Yu said. "I mean, how were they supposed to stop something they didn't know about?" despite the weighing evidence presented by officials.
Despite the facility being deemed "unsuitable" in December 2024 due to systemic failures, including the inability to curtail drug flow, missed medical appointments for detainees, and uncontrolled retaliation against inmates with grievances, Los Padrinos has remained operational due to the lack of alternative locations, the LA County Probation Department has placed all involved officers on leave without pay highlighting, "Accountability is a cornerstone of our mission, and we have zero tolerance for misconduct of any peace officers, especially those dealing with young people in our system," as per their statement provided to media.
In the light of this scandal, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed her disgust and commitment to accountability by stating, "The young people in Los Padrinos are not only in our custody, they are in our care," adding, "It is unacceptable that probation officers who were entrusted with this responsibility would use their power to abuse these kids," as she mentioned supportively for firing any officers proven guilty in a release quoted by Fox LA.
