Lawsuit Information Center

Los Angeles County is at the center of one of the largest institutional child sexual abuse scandals in American history. Survivors of horrific abuse in juvenile halls and foster homes operated by the county have finally begun to see long-overdue justice after decades of silence, retaliation, and systemic neglect.

On April 29, 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $4 billion settlement to resolve more than 6,800 claims of child sexual abuse spanning a period of over 60 years. This settlement is the largest of its kind in U.S. history, surpassing even the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America in total payout.

The lawsuits primarily center on abuse committed by county employees, probation officers, and foster care workers. Many of these acts occurred at juvenile detention centers such as Barry J. Nidorf, Central Juvenile Hall, Los Padrinos, and various probation camps. Thousands of survivors suffered in silence, only recently able to come forward due to new legal reforms in California.

San Diego County’s juvenile detention system, including the former Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, has a documented history of sexual abuse, staff misconduct, and institutional failures that left minors vulnerable while in county custody.

For decades, youth held at these facilities were tragically abused by staff members and others in positions of authority, raising serious questions about supervision, oversight, and the county’s ability to protect children it was legally responsible for safeguarding.

Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, which operated for decades as San Diego County’s primary long-term juvenile hall, was under the control of the San Diego County Probation Department. Like other county-run juvenile facilities, it was required to meet basic constitutional standards and comply with laws designed to prevent sexual abuse, including the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Instead, internal reviews, complaints, and later investigations described an environment where reports of abuse were ignored or inadequately investigated, and where staff accused of misconduct were allowed continued access to detained youth.