Los Angeles County Reaches $4 Billion Settlement Over Decades of Child Sex Abuse

In a staggering and long-awaited move toward justice, Los Angeles County has agreed to pay a record-breaking $4 billion to settle thousands of sexual abuse claims involving children in its care—marking what could become the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history.

Announced Friday, the agreement aims to compensate nearly 7,000 survivors who were abused in county-run juvenile detention facilities and children’s homes during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

While the deal still needs formal approval from the county’s Board of Supervisors, it represents a pivotal step in acknowledging a dark legacy and attempting to provide healing for those affected.

“On behalf of the county, I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts,” said County CEO Fesia Davenport. “The historic scope of this settlement makes clear that we are committed to helping the survivors recover and rebuild their lives—and to making and enforcing the systemic changes needed to keep young people safe.”

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The flood of legal claims was made possible by a 2020 California law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, allowing thousands of people to finally come forward with long-silenced stories.

Many of the allegations stem from horrific abuse suffered inside juvenile halls and the now-shuttered MacLaren Children’s Center, once a foster care facility that has since become symbolic of systemic failure.

Survivors and their attorneys have described the center as a “house of horrors,” citing years of unchecked sexual and physical abuse. Investigations later revealed that for decades, MacLaren employed staff members without performing any background checks.

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For survivors, the news of the proposed settlement has brought a mix of emotions—relief, shock, and pain. “I’m in total shock,” 58-year-old Shirley Bodkin told the Los Angeles Times. She says she was drugged, beaten, and sexually assaulted at MacLaren. “I’ve been waiting all these years for this outcome.”

MaryAlice Ashbrook, 65, who was abused in the 1960s at the same facility, said the news hit hard: “It felt like my heart had a door, and it slammed shut. I’ve gone to great lengths to block this out, and still, I deal with recurring nightmares.”

While the settlement is a monumental win for survivors, it also comes with significant financial consequences. With nearly 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the largest in the U.S. by population and operates on an annual budget of around $49 billion. Officials acknowledge the settlement will have a major long-term impact.

To cover the cost, the county plans to use a combination of reserve funds, issue judgment obligation bonds, and implement budget cuts across departments. These financial obligations will result in hundreds of millions in annual payments through 2030, with additional payments continuing into fiscal year 2050–51.

Still, for many survivors, no amount of money can erase the trauma they endured—but being seen, heard, and acknowledged may finally offer a path forward. This landmark settlement sends a powerful message: accountability is not optional, and no institution is above responsibility when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable.