In a landmark decision, Los Angeles County has agreed to a $4 billion settlement to resolve nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse within its juvenile facilities and foster care system, marking the most significant such payout in U.S. history. ​

According to reports, the settlement addresses allegations dating back to 1959, with many incidents occurring between the 1980s and early 2000s. A significant number of cases are linked to the now-closed MacLaren Children's Center, where reports included sexual abuse by staff, forced drugging, and solitary confinement. ​Civil rights attorney Ben Crump oversaw the case. 

"On behalf of the County, I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts," said Fesia Davenport, the county's Chief Executive Officer. ​

Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed her dismay, stating, "I never would have imagined persons hired to be the safety net and care for the most vulnerable could or would abuse their position and power in this way." ​

Attorney Adam Slater, representing many of the plaintiffs, remarked, "While no amount of money can erase the horrors that they endured, this agreement acknowledges the profound harm inflicted on thousands of children over the course of decades." ​

The settlement was facilitated by California's Assembly Bill 218, enacted in 2020, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims, allowing many survivors to seek justice. ​

Financially, the county plans to fund the settlement through a combination of reserve funds, budget cuts, and bonds, with payments extending over a period of 40 years, through 2051. ​

In response to the crisis, Los Angeles County has pledged reforms, including enhanced vetting of staff and improved oversight mechanisms, to prevent future instances of abuse. ​