30 LA County Probation Officers Indicted Over Orchestrated Juvenile Hall Fights

The officers are accused of organizing and encouraging 'gladiator-style' fights among detained youths, leading to 71 criminal charges.

The California Department of Justice investigation revealed 69 incidents of orchestrated fights at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall between June and December 2023.
Thirty probation officers face charges including child abuse, conspiracy, and battery, with accusations of planning and facilitating the violence.
Footage shows officers standing by or encouraging the fights, with some reportedly instructing youths to refuse medical treatment to conceal injuries.
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has faced scrutiny for unsafe conditions and staffing shortages, with state regulators previously ordering its closure.
Probation officials and local leaders have condemned the actions, emphasizing the need for accountability and systemic reform within the department.