The Brief
- LA County has agreed to pay a $2.7 million settlement to a minor after video shows him being physically assaulted by several detainees at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
- An investigation revealed that multiple deputy probation officers orchestrated and encouraged the physical assault on the juvenile detainee.
- In March, 30 officers were facing criminal charges of child endangerment and abuse, conspiracy and battery.
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County awarded a $2.67 million settlement to a detainee at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey over claims the minor was physically assaulted by other juvenile detainees in so-called “gladiator fights” that were organized by correctional officers.
What we know:
According to documents from the County Board of Supervisors, on December 22, 2023, Jose Rivas Barillas, who was 16-years-old at the time, was physically attacked while in custody. Documents report that several deputy probation officers orchestrated, provoked, and encouraged a physical assault on him by other juvenile detainees.
What led to the fights
The plaintiff claims that after arriving at Los Padrinos, an officer and her colleagues demanded to know his gang affiliation. He responded by saying he wasn’t in a gang, but the officer continued to press him by responding that she was aware he was from the “Canoga” gang, and commented that she “hoped he could fight,” documents revealed. The officer then allegedly directed other juvenile detainees to attack Barillas.…