Camp Barrett Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Camp Barrett was a juvenile detention facility operated by the San Diego County Probation Department and located in Alpine, California. It was meant to serve as a rehabilitation program for boys placed in custody by the juvenile court system—many of whom were minors with no history of violence. But for some of the youth sent there, Camp Barrett became a site of profound trauma.

Survivors have come forward with allegations that staff members—including sworn officers—sexually abused boys in their custody, taking advantage of the facility’s isolation and lack of oversight. The reports describe a system that did not simply overlook warning signs but created the conditions that allowed abuse to occur. Officers had access to children in private spaces, complaints were ignored or never documented, and leadership failed to act despite indications of misconduct.

Instead of safety and rehabilitation, these boys were met with exploitation. And the very institution responsible for their care—the San Diego County Probation Department—now faces serious questions about how this abuse was allowed to continue unchecked for years.

A Pattern of Abuse at Camp Barrett and Other County Facilities

The abuse at Camp Barrett did not occur in isolation. It is part of a larger, deeply troubling pattern of misconduct reported across San Diego County, including:

• Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF): A now-closed facility once housing up to 359 youth.
• Rancho Del Campo Juvenile Ranch: Known for routine and unjustified pepper spray use against minors—used as a pretext to force children into showers where sexual abuse occurred.
• East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility: Still operational, with allegations of continued misconduct.
• Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF): A 50-bed facility also facing scrutiny.
• San Diego Juvenile Detention Facilities

Officers named in civil complaints—including Officers Radovich, Weatherspoon, and Gonzales—allegedly exploited their positions of power, manipulating and abusing detained youth through threats, coercion, and physical force. These were not isolated or spontaneous incidents; the lawsuits allege repeated assaults over time, enabled by systemic failures in hiring, supervision, and oversight.

What Happened at Camp Barrett?

Camp Barrett was intended to be a secure juvenile rehabilitation facility—somewhere young people could receive structure, counseling, and an opportunity to reset their lives. It operated under the authority of the San Diego County Probation Department, housing court-involved youth who had been ordered into county custody. But for many of the boys sent there, Camp Barrett became the site of severe trauma and long-lasting psychological harm.

The lawsuits filed by survivors tell a chilling and consistent story: rather than protecting and rehabilitating vulnerable children, Camp Barrett allowed predatory staff members to operate unchecked, creating a dangerous and exploitative environment.

Boys were groomed by those in power, the officers and staff who were meant to protect them. These officers used their uniforms and authority to gain trust, create dependency, and ultimately isolate and violate youth in their care. The abuse was not incidental. It was calculated, methodical, and carried out in ways that made it nearly impossible for children to defend themselves or speak out.

Survivors describe a culture shaped by secrecy, fear, and control:

• Staff had intimate and unsupervised access to minors during vulnerable moments, including strip searches, showers, disciplinary actions, or late-night checks. These moments were manipulated into opportunities for sexual abuse, including groping, forced nudity, and, in some cases, digital penetration.
• Victims were threatened, punished, or ignored if they tried to speak up. Some were accused of lying. Others were warned that speaking out would only make their situation worse—or extend their time in custody. The power imbalance between a child in a locked facility and a sworn officer was overwhelming.
• Complaints were routinely ignored, discouraged, or quietly dismissed. In some cases, youth didn’t know how to file a complaint. In others, they were told nothing would be done or that they would not be believed. Those in charge—whether supervisors or administrators—failed to intervene or investigate, allowing known abusers to remain in contact with children.
• Certain officers used the facility’s remote location and lack of public oversight to their advantage. Camp Barrett, nestled in a secluded rural area, was far from the public eye. Few outsiders visited. The facility’s distance from families, lawyers, and court officers made it easier for abuse to remain hidden—and harder for children to get help.
• In some cases, officers and other youth allegedly collaborated or facilitated abuse, whether through coercion, forced participation, or retaliation against those who resisted.

Many of the children detained at Camp Barrett were nonviolent offenders. These were not all rough or bad kids, either.  Many were boys who came from unstable home environments, had learning or behavioral challenges, or needed services the juvenile justice system promised to provide. Instead, they were retraumatized in an environment that should have protected them. The emotional toll of that betrayal has lasted into adulthood for many survivors.

The lawsuits filed today are not just about individual acts of abuse—they are about a system that failed at every level: in hiring, training, supervision, and oversight. They are about a facility that allowed predators to thrive and children to suffer in silence.

County Liability and Cover-Up Allegations

The San Diego County Probation Department is accused of gross negligence in hiring, retaining, and supervising abusive officers. The lawsuits allege that:

• The County knew or should have known about past misconduct.
• Youth were placed in environments that lacked safeguards, violating their constitutional rights and the requirements of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Defendants failed to investigate or act on complaints, enabling repeat offenders to continue working with minors.

The Youth Law Center previously flagged the San Diego system to the U.S. Department of Justice for civil rights violations—including PREA noncompliance. Despite these warnings, abuse allegedly continued, often unchecked.

The Impact on Survivors

Survivors of abuse at Camp Barrett and other San Diego facilities report long-lasting harm: depression, PTSD, trust issues, identity confusion, and fear. These experiences often affect their ability to form relationships, hold steady employment, or find a sense of safety in adulthood.

Many survivors were children—often only 15 or 16 years old—placed into the care of the state because they needed structure and support. Instead, they were retraumatized by those tasked with their rehabilitation.

Who We Can Help

Our team is committed to helping every survivor who reaches out. We believe no one should carry the pain of abuse alone—and no survivor should be denied the opportunity for justice. However, due to strict legal deadlines and evidentiary requirements, we are sometimes limited in who we can represent. In order to move forward with a case, we must be able to gather enough information to meet the legal standards required by California law.

If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse while in custody at Camp Barrett or another juvenile facility in San Diego County, please review the following criteria to determine if we may be able to represent you. Meeting this eligibility does not guarantee we can accept your case, but it helps us focus on survivors we can most likely help within the current statute of limitations.

Case Evaluation Criteria

For San Diego juvenile hall sex abuse lawsuits, we are currently reviewing cases for individuals who meet the following:

1. You were sexually abused while at a San Diego County juvenile facility, including but not limited to:
   • Camp Barrett
   • Rancho Del Campo
   • East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
   • Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
   • Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF)
2. You were under the age of 18 at the time the abuse occurred.
3. The sexual abuse was committed by:
   • A staff member, such as a correctional officer, probation staff, or other facility employee, or
   • Another inmate or resident, while under the supervision and care of the facility.
4. You can identify your abuser by name or provide a clear description of them, including:
   • Physical appearance
   • Job title or role
   • Your relationship or interaction with them at the time
5. The abuse occurred in 2009 or later. (Abuse that occurred before 2009 may fall outside current legal time limits..)
6. You are currently under the age of 39 years and 8 months.
   • If you are between 39 years and 8 months and 40 years old, please contact us immediately. Your statute of limitations may be about to expire, and we will need to evaluate your case urgently.
   • Cases for individuals 40 and older may be legally barred under current law and are unlikely to be accepted.
7. You are not currently represented by another attorney in connection with this claim.
8. You have not previously signed a contract with another law firm for this specific abuse case.

Contact Us About Camp Barrett Sex Abuse Cases

If you were sexually abused as an inmate at Camp Barrett, you may be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation. Reach out to us online or call 800-553-8082.