Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Center Lawsuit & Investigations

Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Center has faced decades of allegations and lawsuits involving sexual abuse, misconduct, and unconstitutional treatment of minors. Cases range from staff-perpetrated sexual assaults in the 1990s, to systemic illegal strip-searches of nearly 30,000 youths in the late 1990s and early 2000s, to lawsuits filed in the 2010s that exposed mistreatment and abuse by staff. Most recently, in 2025, a survivor filed suit over repeated abuse he endured as an 11-year-old in juvenile hall, underscoring that survivors continue to come forward with long-hidden claims.

The attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors are actively pursuing claims against Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Center and many other facilities throughout the state of California. If you or a loved one has suffered sexual abuse, assault, or misconduct as a result of the juvenile detention center, you may be eligible to recover compensation. 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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Timeline of Allegations & Lawsuits

2025 – John Doe Lawsuit Filed

• Incident: A former detainee (“John Doe”) alleged he was repeatedly sexually abused as an 11-year-old boy at Sacramento juvenile hall in 1996. Staff manipulated, threatened, and coerced him into sexual acts, while other employees failed to report the abuse.
• Legal Action: In June 2025, Doe filed a civil lawsuit (John Doe v. County of Sacramento, Case No. 25CV00726). The case is ongoing and highlights systemic failures to protect children in custody.

2010–2015 – Sexual Abuse Allegations & Settlement

• Incident: Multiple detained youths alleged they were physically and sexually abused by staff during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
• Legal Action: In 2012, attorney Mark Merin filed a federal lawsuit on their behalf. Sacramento County settled the case in 2015 for $475,000, compensating the victims without admitting wrongdoing.

1998–2004 – Illegal Strip Search Policy

• Incident: Approximately 29,000 juveniles were subjected to unlawful, suspicionless strip searches while detained at Sacramento juvenile facilities, including the main juvenile hall.
• Legal Action: A class-action suit filed in 2004 challenged the policy. In 2006, Sacramento County agreed to a $6.28 million settlement and revised its procedures.

1996 – Sexual Abuse of John Doe (Revealed Later)

• Legal Action: No contemporaneous action was taken; the claims resurfaced in the 2025 lawsuit.014 – Officer charged. The Kern County D.A. files five felony counts against Juvenile Hall officer Cesar Holguin Navejar tied to alleged sexual assault of a teenage detainee.
• Incident: The same John Doe plaintiff from the 2025 suit endured repeated sexual abuse at age 11 while in custody at Sacramento juvenile hall. The abuse was concealed for decades and only became public when the lawsuit was filed.

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Get A Free Case Evaluation From Kayla’s Survivors

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse, assault, or sexual misconduct as a result of Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Center and its staff members, call (800) 509-9747 or request a free case evaluation online. Our legal team is here to listen and provide support – 100% free and confidential.

The child sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors have helped recover over $1 billion for survivors and have held countless organizations accountable, including juvenile detention centers like Sacramento County Juvenile Detention Center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can file a claim against Sacramento County’s Juvenile Hall?

Anyone who was sexually abused, assaulted, or subjected to unlawful strip searches or other misconduct while held at Sacramento County’s Juvenile Detention & Assessment Center may have the right to file a claim. This includes survivors who were harmed by staff, contractors, or even other detainees if the county failed to protect them. Both recent survivors and those abused decades ago may still be eligible.

How much time do I have to pursue legal action?

California law gives childhood survivors the ability to file civil claims until age 40, or within 5 years of realizing the abuse caused lasting harm. For some survivors, special legal “look-back” windows and exceptions may still apply, even for abuse that occurred years ago. In addition, there is no statute of limitations for abuse that happened in 2024 or later — meaning current survivors are not bound by filing deadlines.

Can I stay anonymous if I move forward with a lawsuit?

Yes. In many California sexual abuse cases, survivors are permitted to file under initials or as “John/Jane Doe.” This protects your identity in court filings and public records. You can still hold Sacramento County accountable while keeping your name out of the spotlight, ensuring your privacy is respected throughout the process.

What types of compensation are survivors able to seek?

Survivors may be entitled to damages for counseling and medical expenses, emotional distress, and the lasting effects of trauma. Courts may also award compensation for lost opportunities in education or employment caused by the abuse. Beyond financial recovery, pursuing a claim can force meaningful policy changes to prevent future harm at Sacramento’s juvenile hall.