In a shocking turn of events, 30 probation officers in Los Angeles County are facing serious criminal charges for allegedly allowing and even encouraging violent fights between kids held at a juvenile detention center. These officers worked at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, and officials say they turned the facility into something out of a fight club movie.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the officers let 69 separate fights happen between July and December of 2023. Instead of stepping in to stop the violence, they reportedly stood by and watched — some even laughed while the kids fought. Bonta made it clear that these officers had a duty to protect the young people in their care, and their failure to do so was both shocking and unacceptable.
On Monday, 22 of the officers appeared in court, while the rest are scheduled for their first hearings on April 18. The charges against them include child abuse, endangerment, and conspiracy, with a total of 143 victims between the ages of 12 and 18. Prosecutors also say the officers abused their positions of trust to allow this violence to happen.
This scandal first came to light in January 2024 when surveillance footage from Los Padrinos showed a group of teens attacking one youth while detention officers stood by and did nothing. Some were even seen laughing as they watched the violence unfold. The video, first reported by the Los Angeles Times, sparked outrage and led to a full-scale investigation.
The problems at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall go beyond these disturbing incidents. Since reopening in 2023, the facility has faced issues like short-staffing, violence, and escape attempts. In fact, the state deemed the center unsuitable to house youth and ordered it to fix its problems or shut down by December 2024. Despite this, the county kept it open due to a lack of other options.
In response to the charges, the union representing the probation officers urged the public to remember that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. They acknowledged the tough conditions officers face but stated they do not support any unlawful behavior.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles County officials have expressed their disgust and commitment to holding the guilty accountable. Supervisor Janice Hahn called the officers’ actions a betrayal of trust and fully supported firing those found guilty. The county’s probation department has already placed the accused officers on leave without pay and is pushing for major reforms to improve safety and care at their juvenile facilities.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable youth and the consequences when those in positions of power abuse their authority.
