Supervisor Mitchell’s Statement on Reported Death of Teen in LA County’s Juvenile Hall

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the reported death of a teen in LA County’s Juvenile Hall. 

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to all those impacted by this tragic loss of life. This is the heartbreaking manifestation of the crisis within our juvenile justice system. From preventing drugs from entering our system to limited staffing that impacts the safety of the young people in our juvenile halls and the women and men that work there – we must contend with every contributing factor to this crisis to prevent any more lives from being taken. It is inexcusable for a young person to die of an overdose within the care and custody of Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls.  

I am in full support of a thorough investigation of this tragedy that is followed by swift and substantive action from the Probation Department to ensure that the young people in its care are provided with the appropriate programs, services, as well as stronger measures to prevent harm.”