Riverside Juvenile Hall Lawsuit & Investigations

In January 2025, former probation officer Cecilia Pulido was arrested on suspicion of engaging in sexual contact with a juvenile detainee while employed at Riverside Juvenile Hall, which was the case that led to further investigations against the facility. Now, several law firms, including the attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors, are currently investigating and filing civil claims alleging sexual abuse (including staff-on-youth misconduct, grooming, coercion, and institutional cover-ups) at Riverside Juvenile Hall.

If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct as a result of Riverside Juvenile Hall (or other juvenile detention centers in the state of California), 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.

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Riverside Juvenile Hall Lawsuit Timeline

January 25, 2025 – Probation Officer Arrested for Sexual Abuse of Inmate: A former Riverside County probation corrections officer, Cecilia Pulido (42), was arrested on suspicion of engaging in a sexual relationship with a male juvenile inmate at Riverside Juvenile Hall. Pulido was booked on multiple charges, including annoying or molesting a child and sexual contact with an inmate. Investigators allege she had intimate contact at least once with the boy while he was in custody. Pulido had been hired in late 2023 but resigned before the misconduct came to light. She was released after posting a $10,000 bond, and the case remains under an ongoing criminal investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Special Victims Unit.

December 8–17, 2024 – Officer Under Investigation Dies Amid Child Pornography Probe: Cesar Mayel Reyes II (26), a Riverside County probation corrections officer (formerly assigned to juvenile hall), was under criminal investigation for allegedly advertising for sale obscene material involving a minor. He was arrested in Indio on December 6, 2024, and released on bail the next day. On December 8, Reyes barricaded himself in a Las Vegas hotel room; during a standoff with police, he was shot and killed when he emerged armed and refused to comply. Riverside County’s Probation Department confirmed Reyes’ death and, “due to the circumstances,” declined to release further details about the investigation.

May 1, 2023 – Wave of Civil Lawsuits by Former Detainees (AB 218 Window): In the wake of California’s Child Victims Act (AB 218) – which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims – Riverside County became the target of numerous civil lawsuits by former juvenile hall wards. By May 2023, county officials reported at least 13 civil cases filed under AB 218 alleging that minors were sexually abused while in Riverside County’s custody. These claims are part of a statewide reckoning: victims (now adults) contend that probation staff and other employees sexually abused incarcerated youth, and that county authorities failed to prevent or stop it. The lawsuits describe systemic, decades-long abuse at Riverside Juvenile Hall, mirroring patterns seen in other counties. For example, investigations across California found that staff in juvenile facilities often preyed on youths in bathrooms or cells out of camera view, using threats of physical harm or extended detention to silence victims. Many plaintiffs allege that superiors “turned a blind eye” to complaints, enabling a culture of abuse and cover-ups to persist. These Riverside County cases (most filed in late 2022 just before the AB 218 window closed) remain in litigation; as of 2025, no large-scale settlement has been announced, unlike Los Angeles County’s separate $4 billion settlement for thousands of similar claims.

The criminal and civil actions against Riverside Juvenile Hall highlight institutional failures, including poor supervision and a “culture of silence” that enabled unchecked abuse. Lawsuits allege negligent hiring, inadequate training, and ignored reports of sexual misconduct, with some staff using rewards to silence victims.

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Get Help From Kayla’s Survivors

If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct as a result of Riverside Juvenile Hall 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 child sex abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for survivors and have held countless juvenile detention centers accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible to file a lawsuit against Riverside Juvenile Hall?

Anyone who experienced sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct while detained at Riverside Juvenile Hall may be eligible to pursue a civil claim. This includes both recent survivors and adults who were abused as children, since California law now allows extended (and in some cases unlimited) timeframes for filing. An attorney can review the details of your situation and confirm your eligibility.

How long do I have to file a claim against Riverside?

Under California law, survivors of childhood sexual assault that occurred on or after January 1, 2024 now have no time limit to file a civil lawsuit. For abuse that occurred before 2024, survivors generally have until age 40, or within five years of discovering the connection between the abuse and resulting harm. Even if you think too much time has passed, you should speak to an attorney—many survivors are still able to file claims.

Can I remain anonymous if I decide to come forward?

Yes. California courts often allow survivors of sexual abuse to file lawsuits using initials or a pseudonym to protect their identity. Your privacy is prioritized, and attorneys can request protective measures to keep your name and personal details out of the public record.