Surveillance video captured a 16-year-old being repeatedly punched, kicked, and stomped by juveniles while probation officers watched.
Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.67 million to a teenager who was beaten by several other juveniles in one of the so-called gladiator fights that prosecutors said took place at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, in 2023.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the payout on Tuesday in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Jose Rivas Barillas, who was 16 when he was attacked by at least six other teens during a fight in December 2023.
Thirty probation officers at the detention center are facing criminal charges for allegedly failing to prevent the attacks and possibly enabling them.
Video evidence shows Mr. Barillas, now 18, being attacked while probation officers were present. Some officers were seen exchanging high-fives and handshakes with the attackers, according to his lawyer, Jamal Tooson.
Mr. Tooson stated that Mr. Barillas did not receive medical attention after the beating, nor were his parents notified. Instead, he was left with a bleeding nose during lunch.
Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, described the incident as “inexcusable” in a statement regarding the settlement.
In March, the California Attorney General’s Office announced that a grand jury had indicted the probation officers, accusing them of encouraging 69 fights at the juvenile detention facility from July 2023 to December 2023. They face charges including child endangerment, abuse, conspiracy, and battery.
Approximately 140 detainees, aged 12 to 18, were reportedly involved in the fights.
Rob Bonta, the state’s attorney general, emphasized that the officers had a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of the detainees but instead oversaw the fights.
The investigation was prompted by the release of the video showing Mr. Barillas being attacked. Prior to the assault, a probation officer had approached him and asked questions, including about possible gang affiliation.
Following the encounter, several young juveniles were brought into a room where they attacked Mr. Barillas in turns, according to Mr. Tooson.
Mr. Barillas sustained a fractured nose and a traumatic brain injury, leading to symptoms such as migraines, short-term memory loss, and sleep disturbances. He initially received only Tylenol and did not get prompt medical attention, with his parents remaining uninformed about the incident.
Eventually, he received a brief examination from the facility’s nurse several hours later, and it was months before a neurologist evaluated his injuries.
Mr. Tooson indicated that the attack was recorded by facility cameras, contradicting staff claims that the fights were isolated incidents.
He noted that this case is not unique, referencing additional lawsuits he has filed on behalf of other juveniles alleging sexual abuse and repeated assaults at the same facility.
Los Angeles County has initiated corrective measures in response to the investigation, including suspending the involved correctional officers and conducting administrative reviews. The report suggests adding staff to monitor video surveillance cameras and updating medical response protocols to ensure timely care for injuries.
Janice Hahn, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, remarked that the misconduct of the probation officers has caused harm to those in their care, and now taxpayers are bearing the financial consequences of their actions.