Lawsuit Information Center
On this page, we will look at how victims of sexual abuse at the San Diego Juvenile Ranch Facility (sometimes known as Rancho del Campo) can file civil lawsuits against the County and get financial compensation.
About the San Diego Juvenile Ranch Facility
San Diego County’s Juvenile Ranch Facility (“JRF”) is a juvenile detention and treatment facility located in Campo. JRF is comprised of 2 facilities: Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, each of which have 2 dormitories. JRF is often referred to as “Rancho del Campo.”
JRF is located in a rural location near the Mexico border. Although JRF is a juvenile detention facility, it does not have any walls, fences or locked cells. The remote setting of the facility is used as an escape deterrent. Juvenile inmates at JRF are housed in the dorms that are set up very similar to military barracks with bunk beds.
JRF does not provide vocational training to juvenile inmates, but it does have a high school (Rancho Del Campo High School). The Racho del Rayo section of JRF has a drug and substance abuse treatment program.
A Pattern of Abuse at JRF and Other San Diego County Facilities
Sexual abuse of juvenile inmates is a systemic problem at San Deigo County juvenile facilities. Other facilities in San Diego County with a history of abuse of inmates include:
- Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF)
- JRF (Rancho Del Campo Juvenile Ranch)
- East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility
- Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF)
- San Diego Juvenile Detention Facilities
What Is Sex Abuse?
As a practical matter, sex abuse can range from groping to forcible rape. The 2 key elements that must be present to meet the definition of sexual abuse are: (1) physical touching, and (2) lack of consent.
The first element of sex abuse is physical touching. To constitute sexual abuse or assault there must be actual physical contact of a sexual nature. Verbal sexual harassment is not enough.
The second element of sexual abuse or assault is the absence of consent. Lack of consent is the key element that defines all categories of sexual assault. If the sexual touching is not consensual it is automatically abuse or assault. Minors (anyone under the age of 18) lack the legal capacity to give consent, which means any sexual touching by an adult with a minor is necessarily considered sexual abuse.
Sexual Abuse of Inmates at JRF
Sadly, sexual abuse of inmates in California juvenile detention facilities has been a widespread problem for many years. Thanks to investigative reports, civil lawsuits, and brave victims coming forward to tell their stories, we now know that sexual abuse of juvenile inmates at places like JRF – Rancho del Campo / Rancho del Rayo was a systemic problem that occurred much more often than anyone thought.
Administrators at JRF and other facilities negligently enabled this abuse to occur. Complaints about inappropriate conduct or abuse by staff members at JRF and other facilities in San Diego County would habitually get ignored rather than investigated. This enabled misconduct by staff members to go unpunished and created an environment of abuse.
Holding San Diego County Liable for Sexual Abuse of Juvenile Inmates
JRF is under the full operational authority and responsibility of the San Diego County Probation Department (“SDCPD”). SDCPB is the agency that hires, screens, trains, and supervises all of the correctional officers and other staff member who work with juvenile inmates at High Desert. Properly screening and monitoring staff members is critically important because they have access and control over vulnerable minors.
SDCPB is legally obligated to ensure that juvenile inmates at JRF are reasonably safe and well care for. This includes a duty to protect juvenile inmates at JRF from sexual abuse and assault committed by correctional officers, staff, and both other inmates. This duty obligates SDCPB to adopt appropriate policies for monitoring staff, as well as a duty to investigate all complaints about misconduct by staff.
There is a wealth of evidence establishing that SDCPB systematically failed in this fundamental obligation to protect juvenile inmates at JRF. Despite previous reports of abuse and misconduct, SDCPB did not take adequate action to prevent further harm. This negligence included poor supervision of staff, insufficient policies, inadequate employee training, and a failure to implement effective safety measures. As a result, these children have endured profound physical, emotional, and psychological harm, including pain, distress, loss of self-esteem, and other lasting effects of abuse.
California’s Statute of Limitations for Juvenile Sex Abuse Cases
California’s laws around childhood sexual abuse cases are complex—and recent updates have added more layers. While some survivors may hear there’s “no statute of limitations” to file a lawsuit, that only applies in specific situations. The deadlines depend largely on when the abuse occurred, and not all survivors are covered by the new rules. Here’s a breakdown:
- Abuse on or after January 1, 2024:
Survivors have no time limit to file a lawsuit. They can sue their abuser or any responsible institution at any point—even decades later. - Abuse on or before December 31, 2023:
The previous rule still applies: survivors had until age 40 or five years after discovering the abuse caused them harm—whichever is later. If that deadline passed before 2024, the new law doesn’t reopen the window. - Abuse in government-run facilities:
Normally, lawsuits against public entities (like juvenile halls) require filing a special claim quickly. Under the new law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can bypass that process and sue the state or county directly. - Cases involving institutional cover-ups:
If an institution tried to hide the abuse and a survivor can prove it, the court may award triple damages—three times the jury’s compensation—to penalize the cover-up.
Compensation for JRF Sex Abuse Cases
Victims of sexual abuse at JRF can get financial compensation for the emotional pain and suffering caused by the abuse. Settlement values in these types of cases can easily be several hundred thousand or more. Below are some of the primary factors that impact the settlement value of these cases.
- Identified Abuser: If the victim is able to name their individual abuser and develop evidence that administrators at JRF knew about prior issues with that individual, it will make a very strong case.
- Nature and Severity of Abuse: The nature and level of severity of the acts of sexual abuse is the most compelling factor in determining the value of case. Cases involving very severe or violent acts of abuse over long time period have a higher value.
- Impact on Victim: If the victim can show that the sexual abuse had a negative long term impact on his or her life it will push the settlement value higher.
- Age: If the victim particularly young and more vulnerable at the time that the abuse occurred, it will usually drive the settlement value of the case higher.
- Evidence: Most abuse cases are supported only by the testimony of the victim. However, if the victim has other proof to substantiate their claims it can increase the value of the case.
Contact Us About JRF Sex Abuse Lawsuits
If you were sexually abused at the San Diego County Juvenil Ranch Facility, call our sex abuse lawyers at 800-553-8082 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.