LOS ANGELES—Thirty Los Angeles County probation officers were charged with multiple offenses including child abuse and endangerment following an investigation that detected cases of “youth-on-youth violence” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, officials announced Monday.
As part of the indictment, prosecutors allege the officers staged “gladiator fights” among the youth detainees at the troubled facility. According to state Attorney General Rob Bonta, 69 fights were allowed to occur between youths housed at the facility between July and December in 2023.
“Officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those under their care,” Bonta said in a statement Monday. “Instead, the officers charged today did just the opposite—overseeing ‘gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened. The indictment—and the filing of criminal charges—is an important step toward holding these officers accountable and addressing shortfalls at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Let today’s charges be a warning for all those who abuse their power: the California Department of Justice is watching, and we will hold you accountable.”…