California AG Seeks Receivership for LA County Juvenile Halls

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a petition with the Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to place the county's juvenile halls, including Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf facilities, under receivership due to persistent operational failures and unsafe conditions. Bonta cited ongoing youth-on-youth violence, drug overdoses, inadequate staffing, and failure to comply with court-ordered reforms dating back to 2021 as reasons for this drastic measure, describing a pattern of 'one step forward and two steps back' in the county's efforts. The receivership would transfer complete control of the juvenile halls to a court-appointed officer empowered to manage all aspects of the facilities to ensure compliance and youth safety. This move follows a grand jury indictment of 30 probation staff members for child endangerment and conspiracy related to allowing or encouraging violent fights among detained youth. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has expressed support for the receivership, acknowledging that county-level attempts to improve conditions have failed. Bonta emphasized that this step is a last resort to protect vulnerable youth and that his office will persist until meaningful improvements are secured.