Polinsky Children’s Center Lawsuit & Abuse Investigations
Learn more about the sexual abuse lawsuits and allegations made against the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego County, or contact the legal team at Kayla’s Survivors today to get started with your case.
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Over 100 survivors have filed civil lawsuits against the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego County, alleging sexual abuse by staff members between 1994 and 2020. The lawsuits claim systemic negligence, including lack of supervision, ignored complaints, and threats used to silence victims. Multiple law firms, including Kayla’s Survivors, have filed dozens of suits since late 2024. These cases are ongoing, and San Diego County faces mounting legal pressure as new plaintiffs continue to come forward.
Our legal team is actively helping survivors file claims against the Polinsky Children’s Center of San Diego. Get started with your claim by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online.
Together, We Can Hold Abusers Accountable…
Polinsky Children’s Center Lawsuit Timeline
Pavilion Behavioral Health System has been involved in various allegations and several lawsuits including the following:
- June 2025: Legal momentum continues with new filings from Singleton Schreiber, Herman Law, Kayla’s Survivors, and others who urge survivors to come forward. These cases remain unresolved in court, and San Diego County faces mounting pressure toward potential mass settlement similar to Los Angeles’ precedent.
- April 2025: NBC San Diego and other outlets report 50 new lawsuits filed by adult survivors—bringing the total to well over 100 individual complaints. Allegations include cover‑ups, failure to act on reports, and systemic inadequacies by San Diego County between 1996 and 2023.
- October 2024: Slater Slater Schulman LLP filed approximately two dozen lawsuits in San Diego County Superior Court, representing over 100 individuals now seeking justice for abuse at Polinsky dating from mid‑1990s to 2020. Plaintiffs allege systemic failures: poor supervision, inadequate background checks, isolation of children in vulnerable settings, and threats if they reported the abuse.
- 1999 to 2023: The period during which alleged abuse occurred at Polinsky. Civil complaints claim over 100 children were sexually assaulted by staff—some as young as two or eight—while in custody. Survivors say abuse took place in dorms, bathrooms, closets, medical rooms, and more, and that staff often threatened them into silence.
If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse or assault while at Pavilion Behavioral Health System of Champaign, Illinois (or any other locations) , you may be eligible to recover compensation. The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors can help you better understand your legal options – completely free and 100% confidential.
Talk in Confidence. We’ll listen…
Abuse Allegations Against Polinsky Children’s Center
For decades, children placed at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center in San Diego County were reportedly subjected to horrific abuse by those entrusted with their care. Survivors have come forward with deeply disturbing accounts of sexual assault, neglect, and systemic failures that allowed abuse to continue unchecked for years.
The following is a summary of the key allegations made in civil lawsuits:
- Sexual abuse by staff members, including molestation, groping, and assault
- Victims were as young as 2 to 8 years old
- Abuse occurred in bathrooms, dorms, closets, and medical rooms
- Children were allegedly drugged or sedated in some cases
- Staff reportedly threatened children to remain silent
- Reports of abuse were ignored or mishandled by supervisors
- Inadequate background checks and poor staff supervision
- Institutional failure to remove known or suspected abusers
- Some children were isolated or placed in vulnerable situations intentionally
- Abuse spanned from approximately 1994 through 2020
These allegations paint a picture of long-standing institutional negligence and trauma. Legal action is now underway as survivors seek justice and accountability for the harm they endured while in the custody of San Diego County.
Together, We Can Hold Abusers Accountable…
Get Help From The Attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors
If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse or assault from staff members of Polinsky Children’s Center, call (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support.
The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients, and have held countless juvenile detention centers (such as Polinsky Children’s Center) accountable for their actions and wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can file a claim against Polinsky Children’s Center?
Anyone who experienced sexual abuse as a minor while placed at the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center may be eligible to file a civil claim. This includes individuals abused by staff, contractors, or other residents due to the facility’s negligence.
How long do I have to file a claim against Polinsky Children’s Center?
Under California law, survivors can file a civil claim until they turn 40 or within 5 years of discovering the harm caused by the abuse. For abuse occurring on or after January 1, 2024, there is no time limit (also known as the California statue of limitations for sexual abuse).
Can I remain anonymous if I file a claim?
Yes, survivors can request to file under a pseudonym or as “Jane Doe” or “John Doe” to protect their identity. Courts commonly allow anonymity in cases involving child sexual abuse.
News Coverage
- NBC San Diego. (2025, April). Lawsuits allege 100+ children sexually abused at Polinsky Children’s Center. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-county-polinsky-childrens-center-lawsuit/3636614/
- NBC San Diego. (2025, May). Alleged victims of sexual abuse at Polinsky Children’s Center sue San Diego County. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/alleged-victims-of-sexual-abuse-at-polinsky-childrens-center-sue-san-diego-county/3795821/
- Redmond Spokesman. (2025, April 4). San Diego County faces host of lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse & negligence at Polinsky Children’s Center. https://redmondspokesman.com/2025/04/04/san-diego-county-faces-host-of-lawsuits-alleging-child-sexual-abuse-negligence-at-polinsky-childrens-center/
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