MaryAlice Ashbrook recalls the rain on the night Los Angeles police took her, an 8-year-old child of a pill-addicted mother, to the MacLaren Children’s Center, a county-run foster home where she faced abuse. Shirley Bodkin remembers the staff member who made her hold a Raggedy Ann doll while he harmed her. J.C. Wright recalls being accused of “fabricating” when he attempted to report abuse at the age of 7.
These memories linger decades later. Ashbrook, now 65 and a retired bookkeeper in Yuma, Arizona, Bodkin, 58 and a mother of two in Dana Point, California, and Wright, 42, a truck driver and father of four in suburban Los Angeles, have all faced lasting trauma. Ashbrook underwent electroshock therapy, Bodkin attempted suicide, and Wright lived on the streets for years, eventually ending up in prison. They sought relief through the courts.
Last week, a settlement was reached for Ashbrook, Bodkin, Wright, and nearly 7,000 other plaintiffs who claim they were sexually abused as children in Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention and foster care systems, with cases dating back to the late 1950s. The county issued a public apology and agreed to pay a record $4 billion, a sum that surpasses previous settlements in child sex abuse cases, including those against the Boy Scouts of America and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The surge in claims followed California's introduction of a new legal window for childhood victims to sue, despite the expiration of the statute of limitations. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to formally approve the payout on April 29.
Approximately two dozen states have implemented similar “lookback windows” in response to the understanding that many child sex abuse victims may not come forward until years later. This has led to thousands of lawsuits and concerns about significant liabilities for taxpayers. In Maryland, lawmakers recently voted to reduce the maximum possible award amid a $3 billion budget gap.
Los Angeles County has previously reformed its systems that allowed for such abuses. The MacLaren Children’s Center, where Ashbrook and Bodkin were placed in the 1960s and Wright in the 1990s, closed in 2003 amid numerous abuse allegations and findings that it had hired staff with criminal records. The county has since implemented reforms aimed at preventing sexual abuse, including comprehensive background checks and revised policies.
Despite the settlement, no arrests have been made related to the abuses at MacLaren Hall, though investigations are ongoing, with at least two cases referred to the district attorney. Adam Slater, a lawyer representing over 3,500 plaintiffs, noted that the settlement takes into account the county's reforms and financial considerations, with payments spread over several years.
Plaintiffs expressed mixed feelings about the settlement. Wright, speaking from his vehicle, lamented the lack of concern during his time at MacLaren, where he reported abuse but was dismissed. He expressed a desire for the abuse to have been stopped when he first reported it.
The cases of Wright, Bodkin, and Ashbrook are among many stemming from their time at MacLaren, which was notorious for its conditions. Opened in 1961 as a temporary shelter, it became overcrowded and plagued by violence and staff turnover.
Ashbrook described her tumultuous childhood, living in various unstable environments due to her mother's addiction. She recounted being abused by a guard at MacLaren, who medicated her and other children. Bodkin, who also experienced abuse, recalled her memories of fear and trauma during her time there.
Wright’s experience in county care came later, after being abandoned by his parents. He detailed the physical and sexual abuse he endured at MacLaren, leading to years of homelessness and incarceration. After his release, he managed to build a life but still struggles with the trauma of his past.
Lawyers acknowledged the challenges of the lawsuits, as time has passed and many witnesses have died. County officials expressed hope that the settlement reflects their commitment to preventing future abuses. The county's chief executive issued a heartfelt apology to all affected by the abuses.
While the plaintiffs are uncertain if the settlement will alleviate their suffering, they expressed a sense of validation. Bodkin shared her overwhelming relief at being heard, emphasizing the importance of her voice finally being acknowledged.