Key Takeaways:
- Los Angeles County will pay $4 billion to settle thousands of child sex abuse claims from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
- Nearly 7,000 people were abused in juvenile facilities and foster care homes, including the now-closed MacLaren Children’s Center.
- A 2020 state law allowed victims to file claims after the usual time limit expired.
- The settlement is the largest of its kind and still needs approval from the county board of supervisors.
- Victims shared horrifying stories of abuse, with some describing their experiences as traumatic and life-altering.
- The payout will strain the county’s budget, requiring years of payments and budget cuts.
Historic Settlement Aims to Bring Closure to Abuse Survivors
Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $4 billion to settle thousands of sexual abuse claims, marking one of the largest such settlements in U.S. history. The agreement aims to compensate nearly 7,000 people who were abused while in county-run juvenile facilities and foster care homes, including the notorious MacLaren Children’s Center.
The settlement, which still needs approval from the county’s board of supervisors, is a response to decades of horrific abuse that went unchecked. Many victims were subjected to sexual assault, beatings, and emotional trauma while in care.
Why This Settlement Matters
The settlement is a step toward justice for survivors who suffered unimaginable harm. County officials have apologized for the abuse and promised to make changes to protect children in the future. “On behalf of the county, I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts,” said Fesia Davenport, the county’s CEO.
The case highlights how systemic failures allowed abuse to continue for years. For example, an investigation revealed that staff at MacLaren Children’s Center were never background-checked for decades, creating an environment where predators could thrive.
A Long Wait for Justice
Thanks to a 2020 California law, victims of childhood sexual abuse were given more time to file claims, even if the abuse happened decades ago. Thousands of survivors came forward, sharing heartbreaking stories of their experiences.
Shirley Bodkin, 58, was drugged, beaten, and sexually abused at MacLaren as a child. “I’m in total shock,” she said after hearing about the settlement. “I’ve been waiting all these years for this outcome.”
Another survivor, MaryAlice Ashbrook, 65, who was abused in the 1960s, described the news as bittersweet. “It felt like my heart had a door and it slammed shut,” she said. “I’ve dealt with nightmares my whole life.”
The Financial Impact
The $4 billion payout is the largest ever for such a case, surpassing even the $2.46 billion settlement paid by the Boy Scouts of America to abuse victims.
But the cost won’t be paid all at once. The county plans to use reserve funds, issue special bonds, and cut budgets in various departments. Payments will stretch over decades, with hundreds of millions of dollars due each year until 2030 and beyond.
This financial strain will likely affect county services for years to come. Officials warn that the settlement will have “significant impacts” on the county’s budget, which is already massive at $49 billion annually.
Moving Forward
While the settlement brings some closure for survivors, it doesn’t erase the pain they endured. Many victims still struggle with scars left by the abuse.
The county has promised to make changes to prevent such horrors from happening again. This includes better oversight of facilities and stronger protections for children in care.
For survivors, the settlement is a reminder that their voices matter and that justice, though delayed, is possible.
This historic settlement is more than just a financial payout—it’s a step toward healing and accountability for thousands of lives forever changed by abuse.