Sometimes, the very places entrusted with the care and rehabilitation of our youth shatter that sacred trust, and the resulting trauma echoes for a lifetime. Too often, we have heard stories of sexual abuse against vulnerable youth detainees in the California juvenile detention system, including at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. If you, your child, or a young person you love has suffered sexual abuse while in the custody of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, we want you to know that the fault lies not with you or the child, but with the systems that failed to protect them. Our firm wants to help you pursue justice.
Recent investigations have exposed a deeply troubling pattern of systemic failures at this facility. These are not isolated incidents but rather a culture of negligence that allowed predators to prey upon vulnerable youth and violence to soar with little restraint at Los Padrinos.
In May 2025, a judge approved of the L.A. County Probation Department’s plan to relocate many detainees from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, but the move only came after “repeated failures to meet minimum staffing requirements,” and “riots, drug overdoses and so-called ‘gladiator fights’ in recent years,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
In addition, in July 2025, a young man filed a federal lawsuit against Los Angeles County after he alleged he was sexually assaulted by a staff member while housed at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, according to NBC 4 Los Angeles. That case involved a social worker assigned to Gomez’s case who “aggressively pursued and engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with him” while he was housed at the facility.
These are just a few examples of the chaos and pain that ran rampant at this California juvenile detention facility. Survivors of sexual abuse there, and their families, are now courageously stepping forward to seek justice against the very individuals sworn to provide care and custody that failed miserably at that mission.
The harm inflicted within those walls extends far beyond the physical act. This is a horrific betrayal by the system, compounding the trauma that detainees already have and creating a unique and complex legal challenge for them to pursue justice.
But Phillips Law Group can help. We believe that holding the responsible institutions accountable is not just about financial compensation; it is a vital step in the healing journey for survivors. It is about reclaiming power, demanding systemic change, and ensuring no other child endures this sort of suffering.
At our firm, we are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to identify all negligent parties – from individual officers to the government bodies that enabled them – and build a powerful case on your behalf. We will fight to secure not only the justice and compensation you deserve, but also to force the institutional reforms necessary to protect future generations who end up in the juvenile justice or residential treatment system.
The path to healing begins with a single step. If you or your family has been affected by abuse at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, we urge you not to navigate this difficult time without experienced and compassionate advocates at your side. Our attorneys can help.
Contact us today for a completely confidential, no-obligation, free consultation. We will listen to your story without judgment, explain your legal rights in clear terms, and help you understand the path forward. Together, we can demand accountability. Call 602-222-2222 or fill out the secure form on this page to learn more now.
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