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Were you abused in a California juvenile facility?

CALIFORNIA JUVENILE FACILITY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWYERS

GGH Law represents survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile halls, probation camps, and youth facilities across California. Speak with our team in a free, confidential consultation about your legal options. SEE IF YOUR CASE QUALIFIES

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The Case

Why are California Juvenile Facilities Under Investigation?

Victims allegedly suffered Sexual Abuse at Juvenile Facilities in California across dozens of locations, with reports involving staff misconduct dating back to 1970.

GGH is spearheading a comprehensive legal response to these systemic failures, meticulously building cases for survivors who were harmed while in state and county custody. The firm’s advocacy focuses on uncovering the layers of negligence that allowed staff members to exploit their positions of authority, ensuring that the agencies responsible for overseeing these youth are held legally accountable in a court of law.

Lawsuits and investigations involving California juvenile detention centers and youth treatment facilities have uncovered abuse dating back to the 1970s and continuing through 2025, with victims as young as 10 years old. Survivors have reported abuse occurring in bathrooms, cells, and showers—often on a daily basis. Perpetrators, including probation officers and facility staff, allegedly used threats of physical harm, extended confinement, or retaliation to silence victims.

Facilities across the state have been accused of fostering environments where abuse was rampant and often silenced, including:

Your voice matters, and you deserve accountability. GGH is available to speak confidentially about your legal rights.

Legal Help For Survivors
WERE YOU
SEXUALLY ABUSED?
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INVESTIGATIONS AND LAWSUITS

Notable Cases of Abuse in California Juvenile Facilities

  • Between 2022 and 2023, nearly 600 survivors came forward and filed lawsuits against Los Angeles County juvenile facilities, including Camp Kilpatrick, Central Juvenile Hall, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Survivors alleged that staff members engaged in the sexual abuse of youth residents, provided contraband in exchange for sexual favors, and retaliated against those who dared to report the abuse.
  • In February 2025, more than two dozen individuals filed lawsuits against San Diego County, alleging sexual abuse at juvenile facilities such as Camp Barrett, Rancho del Campo, and the Girls Rehabilitation Facility. According to these lawsuits, the abuse spanned from 1970 to 2022 and occurred on a near-daily basis. Survivors reported being threatened with physical harm or extended confinement if they resisted or spoke out about the abuse.
  • In February 2025, Moises Hernandez Cordero, Jr., a former educator at the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, pleaded no contest to charges of contacting a minor for sexual purposes and attempting to possess child pornography.
  • In January 2025, Cecilia Pulido, a former Riverside County probation officer, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a juvenile resident at the Riverside County Juvenile Facilities. Pulido faces charges of molestation and engaging in sexual contact with a resident.
  • In March 2024, Azzan Sandhu, a former correctional officer, was charged with multiple felonies for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl under his supervision at the Ventura County Youth Correctional Facility. The allegations also include creating child sexual abuse material during the months-long abuse.
  • In December 2023, four individuals filed lawsuits against San Bernardino County, alleging they were sexually abused as youth while detained in the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center. One survivor revealed that they were just 10 years old when a probation officer sexually abused them.
  • In May 2023, Nicole Perales, a former juvenile probation officer, was charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old in custody at the Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center. Prosecutors allege that Perales engaged in oral sex with the child over the course of a year while the child was under her supervision.
  • In March 2023, Matthew Allen Petree, a former shift supervisor, was charged with sexually abusing a female minor in custody at the Imperial County Juvenile Hall in El Centro.
  • In February 2023, 11 plaintiffs filed lawsuits accusing John Domeniconi, a former probation officer, of sexually abusing them while detained at the San Mateo County Hillcrest Juvenile Hall. Survivors allege that the abuse occurred under during strip searches and showers.
  • In July 2022, Shaleah Ryman, a former correctional officer, was charged with sexually abusing a 16-year-old in custody at the Kern County James G. Bowles Youth Detention Center. Investigators uncovered inappropriate phone calls and explicit photos exchanged between Ryman and the minor.
  • In March 2021, Giorgio Raul Garcia, a former juvenile court counselor at the Santa Clara County Juvenile Facilities, was arrested for sexually abusing minors under his care. Garcia had worked for multiple agencies connected to the Santa Clara County juvenile court system between 1980 and 2005, during which time the abuse allegedly occurred.
  • In January 2021, Shawn Curtis Andrade, a former juvenile correctional officer, was sentenced to over four years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2018 at the Fresno County Juvenile Facilities.
  • In July 2020, Jennifer Butz-Tavares, a former director at the Monterey County Youth Center, was arrested for engaging in sexual contact with a minor resident at the facility.
  • In 2019, a Sheriff’s Deputy Correctional Officer pleaded guilty to repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor over a six-month period at the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall. A 2023 grand jury investigation revealed major shortcomings in the facility’s policies and audits.
  • In January 2015, Marilouise Hawks, a former teacher at the Merced County Iris Garrett Juvenile Hall, was arrested for molesting two teenage residents.

Named Defendants

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Contact Us

The legal journey in sexual abuse cases requires more than just expertise—it requires empathy, sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to justice. At GGH, we understand the profound impact that sexual abuse has on survivors and their families. We stand firm in our belief that survivors of sexual abuse have the right to seek justice, hold perpetrators accountable, and begin the process of healing.

The GGH team is dedicated to ensuring that survivors' voices are heard and their stories respected. We are here to help you navigate the legal process with care and confidence, advocating for the justice and closure you deserve.

Contact GGH Today for a free consultation at (312) 728-7444 or contact us online.

ACCOUNTABLITY FOR SURVIVORS:
THE GGH ADVANDAGE
Gould Grieco & Hensley (GGH) is a prestigious, boutique national personal injury firm that serves as a relentless advocate for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries. Recognized as "Innovators of Law," the firm combines world-class legal expertise with state-of-the-art technology—including agile project management and cutting-edge trial techniques—to secure unprecedented results against the world’s largest institutional defendants. With a proven track record that includes global settlements exceeding $2 billion and individual verdicts surpassing $550 million, their award-winning attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis to ensure justice is accessible without upfront costs. From the courtroom to features in The New York Times and Forbes, Gould Grieco and Hensley remains dedicated to turning strategic precision and aggressive litigation into life-changing outcomes for their clients.