Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuits

On this page, we will look at civil lawsuits brought by victims of sexual abuse at the Kearny Mesa juvenile detention center facility in San Diego. Kearn Mesa closed several years ago, but countless juvenile inmates may have been sexually abused there over the years.

About Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility

The Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (“KMJDF” or “Kearny Mesa”) was a maximum security juvenile detention center in San Diego County. KMJDF first opened in the 1950s and it became the primary long-term detention facility for juvenile offenders.

Over the last decade, a major push for reforms in the juvenile justice system led to the closure of the original Kearny Mesa detention facility. In October 2024, however, a brand new juvenile “rehabilitation” and training facility was opened on the same site that KMJDF used to occupy. The new facility, called the Youth Transition Campus, has a much more progressive atmosphere and focus.

Other Juvenile Detention Facilities in San Diego County

We are currently investigating cases involving sexual abuse of inmates at juvenile detention facilities throughout 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

Many staff and correctional officers at these facilities 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.

Sexual Abuse of Juveniles at Kearny Mesa

Sexual abuse of inmates at juvenile facilities in San Diego County was a major issue for many decades. Nearly all of the facilities are operated by the San Diego County Probation Department (SDCPD). However, Kearny Mesa was one of the worst facilities in terms of abuse of inmates.

Countless juvenile inmates were sexually abused and exploited at Kearny Mesa during its decades of operation. In most cases, this abuse was perpetrated by the correctional officers and staff members at the facility who were supposed to be protecting the inmates. These abusers exploited their positions of authority and their access to the juvenile inmates to force and coerce them into sexual acts that they were not legally capable of consenting to.

Staff members and officers at Kearny Mesa had regular unsupervised or monitored access to juvenile inmates in very private and vulnerable settings, such as during strip searches and showers. Perpetrators of the abuse would use this access and the lack of oversight to abuse victims in various ways.

Abusers at Kearny Mesa used a combination of threats and “perks” to coerce juvenile inmates into engaging in sexual acts. Inmates would be threatened with loss of freedoms or other punishments if they refused sexual advances. Simultaneously, those inmates who did comply were given special favors and privileges.

Most inmates at Kearny Mesa came from unstable homes, struggled with learning or behavioral challenges, or simply needed the support and services

the juvenile justice system claimed it would provide. Instead of receiving help, they were retraumatized in a facility that was supposed to offer protection and rehabilitation.

Negligence By SDCPD

Like all juvenile facilities in San Diego County, Kearny Mesa was under the operational control and authority of the San Diego County Probation Department (SDCPD). SDCPD has full control over everything that occurred at Kearny Mesa, including who was hired, how they were trained, and what level of supervision they had.

SDCPD had a legal duty to ensure that juvenile inmates at Kearny Mesa were reasonably safe from sexual abuse and assault. Unfortunately, SDCPD neglected this duty in many ways, including hiring practices, staff training, supervision, and institutional oversight.

SDCPD was negligent in its hiring and training of employees. It was also negligent in how it trained correctional officers and for failing to adopt an effective method of supervising and monitoring staff contact with juvenile inmates.

SDCPD was also habitually negligent in failing to properly investigate complaints about staff abuse of inmates. Complaints of staff abuse brought by juvenile inmates were consistently ignored or disregarded with no investigation whatsoever. This enabled abusers to act without fear of any consequences.

The San Diego County Probation Department is now facing allegations of gross negligence in its hiring, retention, and supervision of officers accused of abuse:

• The County either knew or should have known about prior misconduct by certain staff members.
• Youth were housed in unsafe environments that failed to meet constitutional protections and violated the standards set forth by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Despite reports and red flags, officials failed to investigate or intervene, allowing known abusers continued access to vulnerable minors.

Who Can File A San Diego Juvenile Hall Sex Abuse Case?

Our firm is currently evaluating cases for individuals who meet the following criteria:

• You were sexually abused while held 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)
• You were under 18 years old when the abuse occurred.
• The abuse was committed by:
  • A staff member (e.g., correctional officer, probation officer, or facility employee), or
  • Another resident or inmate, while under the care and supervision of facility staff.
• You are able to identify your abuser by name or by providing detailed information such as:
  • Physical description
  • Job title or position
  • Your interactions or relationship with the person at the time
• The abuse occurred in 2009 or later. (Claims for abuse before 2009 may fall outside the current legal window.)
• You are currently under the age of 39 years and 8 months.
  • If you are between the ages of 39 years and 8 months and 40, please contact us immediately. Your filing window may be closing soon.
  • Unfortunately, cases involving survivors 40 or older may be time-barred under current law.
• You are not currently represented by another attorney for this
  specific claim.
• You have not previously signed a contract with another law firm regarding this matter.

California Statute of Limitations for GRF Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

If you experienced sexual abuse while in custody at Kearny Mesa in San Diego, you may still have the legal right to file a civil lawsuit—even if the abuse occurred many years ago. California has significantly extended the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse, offering many individuals a renewed opportunity to seek justice.

However, time limits still apply. The statute of limitations sets a legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. If that deadline passes, you could lose the ability to pursue your case, regardless of how strong your evidence is or how serious the abuse was.

In California, the statute of limitations varies based on whether the abuse occurred when the

survivor was a minor or an adult. These rules can be complex, and determining your eligibility often depends on the specific facts of your case.

How Much Can You Get from a Kearny Mesa Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?

The potential compensation from a lawsuit against the SDCPD for sexual abuse at Kearny Mesa or another juvenile facility depends on several key factors:

1. Strength of the Evidence:
   While many cases rely solely on the survivor’s testimony, that alone can be enough to prove abuse. However, the presence of additional evidence—such as witness accounts, documents, or patterns of prior misconduct—can significantly increase the case’s value. It’s also essential to show that the facility or its staff were negligent in preventing the abuse. Failures in institutional policies and procedures—especially when repeated—can further strengthen the claim.
2. Severity of the Abuse:
   The nature and extent of the abuse have a major impact on potential compensation. Cases involving diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions often result in higher settlements. That said, many strong claims involve no formal diagnosis but are still compelling based on the survivor’s account. Mental health experts may provide testimony to help establish the long-term emotional effects.
3. Age of the Victim:
   Younger survivors tend to receive higher settlements because the abuse often affects their development, education, relationships, and overall life trajectory in more profound ways.

Contact Us About Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuits

You were sexually abused at Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility, contact our sex abuse lawyers today for a free consultation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.