Several people hospitalized after suspected exposure at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

This story has been updated.

At least nine people, including one youth detainee, were taken to a hospital Wednesday following exposure to an unknown substance at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.

County Probation Department officials initially said authorities responded to a “suspected overdose and possible exposure to an unidentified substance” at the facility Wednesday morning. Downey fire and police also responded.

Early Wednesday afternoon, department spokeswoman Vicky Waters told City News Service several people were taken to hospitals, including one youth and eight staff members, due to the exposure. All of them, however, were “responsive and stable” at the hospital, she said.

It was unclear what type of substance was involved.

The facility was placed on lockdown while an investigation was conducted. The lockdown was continuing Wednesday afternoon.

The situation unfolded just two days after a nonprofit organization worker was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs into the juvenile facility -- which has been plagued with operational issues since it reopened in 2023.

Alejandro Lopez, who worked for the nonprofit Student Nest, was arrested at the facility Monday, when authorities said he was “engaged in some suspicious activity.” Probation Department officials said he had more than 170 white pills in his possession.

Student Nest is an educational tutoring service.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger issued a statement Wednesday calling the overdose incident “deeply concerning.”

“My thoughts are with all those who were injured, their families, and everyone affected by this troubling situation,” Barger said. “I’m actively monitoring this situation as it unfolds and am in close contact with the Probation Department to gather accurate information. It is essential that we understand exactly what happened so we can ensure the safety and well-being of both the youth in our care and the dedicated staff who serve them.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement, “Right now my thoughts are with those affected by this incident. My understanding is that youth in our care, Probation staff, and medical staff were all possibly exposed to and sickened by a toxic drug that should never have been able to enter this facility. They’re now receiving the medical care they need and I*m praying for their safe recovery.

“I’ll continue to monitor this situation, and we will get to the bottom of how this was allowed to happen.”

Los Padrinos has come under fire repeatedly since it was opened in 2023 to house youth transferred from two other facilities deemed unsuitable for youth detention. The Downey facility itself has been deemed unsuitable on multiple occasions by state regulators, and it continues to operate under an unsuitability declaration.

A judge in May approved a Probation Department plan to draw down the number of youth housed at the facility, which has been plagued with issues stemming mostly from short-staffing, along with concerns about detainees not being transported to classes or medical appointments.

In March, 30 county probation officers where hit with criminal charges stemming from allegations that so-called “gladiator fights” were being staged among the youth detainees while officers looked on.