Probation Officers Stand By as Youths Assault Teen in Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Shocking footage obtained by The Times reveals that several L.A. County probation officers stood idly by as a group of at least six youths assaulted a 17-year-old inside Los Padrinos juvenile hall in December. The video shows the victim being subjected to punches and kicks from multiple assailants, while some officers appeared to laugh and even shake hands with the attackers. The incident raises concerns about the possible coordination of the assaults.

The footage, which was first made public during a court hearing in Sylmar, has since led to the suspension of eight probation officers by the probation department. However, the agency has remained tight-lipped about the incident and has not provided any information regarding the status of the suspended officers. The video has been shared with the L.A. County Office of the Inspector General for further investigation.

In the approximately six-minute clip, the assault takes place in a “day room” filled with Christmas decorations on the morning of December 22, 2023. The victim is repeatedly attacked by different youths, while probation officers present in the room fail to intervene. One officer even steps aside as a youth charges at the victim and delivers a running kick. The disturbing footage shows the victim sustaining a broken nose and enduring the assault without receiving immediate medical treatment.

During the court hearing, the victim’s attorney, Sherrie Albin, argued for her client’s release ahead of his criminal trial, citing concerns for his safety at Los Padrinos. Albin claimed that the probation officer in charge, Taneha Brooks, instigated the incident by falsely labeling the victim as a racist to the assailants. The video appears to contradict Brooks’ own report of the incident, where she claimed to have given verbal commands to stop the fights.

The 17-year-old victim, who is awaiting trial for a robbery and shooting, suffered not only a broken nose but also internal injuries, severe bruising, and a moderate traumatic brain injury, according to the victim’s attorney. Despite the safety concerns raised in court, the judge declined to release the teen, stating that he had been transferred to a different unit within Los Padrinos.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has received the video footage and is yet to comment on possible charges against the officers or the youths involved. The incident has also brought attention to the ongoing struggles faced by Los Padrinos juvenile hall, including staffing shortages, high levels of youth-on-youth assault, riots, escape attempts, and the discovery of contraband.

The Board of State and Community Corrections, responsible for overseeing correctional facilities statewide, narrowly voted to keep Los Padrinos open just hours before the video was made public. Some members of the board expressed frustration over the limited scope of their assessment and the failure to consider the assault in their decision-making process.

The case has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with civil attorney Jamal Tooson stating that it exemplifies a larger problem within the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The incident highlights the failure to protect vulnerable minors and the alarming presence of violence within the system.