In California, thirty officers have been charged for their roles in “gladiator fights” at a youth detention center. The state’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, announced these serious charges including child endangerment, abuse, conspiracy, and battery.
The investigation revealed that 69 fights took place at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, California, between July and December 2023. This probe started after a video of one fight was leaked, leading to the identification of 143 victims aged 12 to 18.
On Monday, twenty-two of the thirty officers were officially arraigned in court, with the remaining eight scheduled to appear in April. Bonta emphasized that these officers were supposed to protect the youths, not watch violent fights unfold.
The leaked video shows a teen getting beaten by several others while officers looked on, appearing to laugh and engage with the attackers instead of breaking up the fight. “They look more like spectators than supervisors,” Bonta remarked during a press conference. He criticized their failure to intervene and protect those in their care.
The LA County Probation Department, which oversees Los Padrinos, stated their full support for the attorney general’s office and confirmed that all involved officers are on leave without pay. They also mentioned cooperating with law enforcement after discovering the misconduct.
At least two teens have taken legal action, intending to sue the county. One of them, a 16-year-old seen in the video, was reportedly attacked multiple times, leading to significant injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Their lawyer, Jamal Tooson, highlighted the severity of the incidents, marking a troubling situation at the facility.
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