High Desert Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuit & Investigations
Learn more about the investigations into sexual abuse and staff misconduct at High Desert Juvenile Detention Center of San Bernardino, or contact the legal team at Kayla’s Survivors today to discuss your case and start your claim.
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The High Desert Juvenile Detention Center in San Bernardino County, California, faces ongoing civil lawsuits alleging widespread sexual abuse of juvenile detainees by staff, including assaults, harassment, and exploitation dating back decades. These claims highlight systemic issues such as negligence, inadequate supervision, and cover-ups by county officials, part of a broader pattern across California’s juvenile facilities.
The attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors are actively pursuing claims against High Desert Juvenile Detention Center. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct as a result of the programs and staff of the detention center, you may be eligible to recover compensation and hold the institution accountable. Get started with your case by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online – always 100% free and confidential.
Together, We Can Hold Abusers Accountable…
Lawsuit Timeline & Info
| Date/Period | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 2025 (as of August) | Lawsuits are active, with over 600 survivors potentially involved in class actions across San Bernardino County facilities, including HDJDC. Legal experts predict settlements in the millions per victim, focusing on emotional trauma and institutional failures. Investigations remain open, emphasizing PREA violations and cover-ups. |
| 2024 | California eliminates statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims occurring on or after January 1, 2024 (via updates to AB 218). This expands filing options for HDJDC survivors. Ongoing probes into SBCPD compliance continue, with no major resolutions. |
| 2023 | DJJ officially closes, increasing HDJDC’s detainee population. Four survivors file lawsuits in December against San Bernardino County, alleging sexual harassment, assault, and negligence (including a 2005 case). Broader investigations reveal more misconduct. |
| 2022 | A correctional officer at HDJDC is arrested for molesting multiple detainees, triggering investigations by SBCPD and the Sheriff’s Department. This sparks class action lawsuits against San Bernardino County for systemic abuse. |
| 2020 | Governor Gavin Newsom announces the closure of California’s Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) by 2023, shifting more youth to county facilities like HDJDC. Advocates warn of increased risks. |
| 2010s | Whistleblowers expose ongoing staff abuse at HDJDC. Some correctional officers are arrested for sexual crimes. Lawsuits highlight neglect and cover-ups. PREA audits begin, but underreporting persists. |
| 2005 | Alleged sexual abuse of a detainee (then aged 10) by a San Bernardino County probation officer at a county juvenile facility (potentially HDJDC or similar). This later forms part of 2023 lawsuits. |
| 2000s | Advocacy groups report excessive force and sexual abuse at HDJDC. Enforcement is weak, with many incidents uninvestigated. This period includes broader California juvenile facility abuse dating back to the 1970s. |
| 1990s | HDJDC opens in Apple Valley under SBCPD management. Initial operations include minimal oversight, setting the stage for later abuse allegations. |
Talk in Confidence. We’ll listen…
Eligibility to File a Claim/Lawsuit Against High Desert Juvenile Detention Center
To be eligible to file a sexual abuse claim or lawsuit against HDJDC or other San Bernardino County juvenile detention centers, you must have been a victim of sexual abuse (e.g., assault, harassment, or exploitation) while in custody at the facility. This includes abuse by staff, other detainees (if due to negligence), or through institutional failures like inadequate supervision. Claims are civil actions seeking compensation for damages such as physical harm, emotional trauma, PTSD, and lost opportunities.
Key eligibility criteria under California law:
Claim deadlines: For abuse on or after January 1, 2024, there is no time limit (known as the statute of limitations in California)—you have your lifetime to file, even beyond age 40. However, it’s important to start your case as soon as you’re ready to preserve evidence and improve the likelihood of a successful claim and favorable outcome. For abuse before December 31, 2023: Generally until age 40 or within 5 years of discovering the abuse caused harm (whichever is later). If your deadline expired before 2024, it may not be reopened.
Relevant laws: Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218) expanded protections by removing barriers, allowing triple damages if cover-ups are proven, and eliminating the need for a pre-lawsuit government claims process against public entities like counties. Senate Bill 14 clarified consent issues in civil cases.
A juvenile abuse attorney can help you better understand your legal options and build a strong claim to help you recover compensation for damages (including medical bills, associated therapy, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages related to the case).
Get Help From The Lawyers at Kayla’s Survivors
If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct due to High Desert Juvenile Detention Center and its staff members, call (800) 509-9747 or tell us what happened online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support – 100% free and confidential.
The sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for our clients, and have held countless organizations and juvenile detention centers accountable.
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