Father Theodore Llanos
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Ordained: 1974
Died: 1996
Assignment History:
- 1975-1978: St. Bernard (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1979: St. Bernard (Bellflower, CA)
- 1980-1984: St. Louise de Marillac (Covina, CA)
- 1985-1989: St. Barnabas (Long Beach, CA)
- 1990-1992: Epiphany (South El Monte, CA)
- 1993-1996: St. Lucy (Long Beach, CA)
- 1995: Absent on Sick Leave
Summary of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Theodore Llanos:
According to media reports, Fr. Theodore Llanos was suspected of molesting dozens of boys over a 20-year period. There have been numerous civil lawsuits filed against him, including six in 1996, two in 1997, and another two in 2003. Father Llanos is ranked #4 on the Archdiocese of Los Angeles‘ list of top 10 abusers. He was not removed from ministry after complaints were raised in the 1970s and 1980s.
In the early 1990s, he was elevated to the Personnel Board, which meant he could influence decisions regarding whether child molester priests should go to treatment or evaluation, and whether they should be removed, or transferred. In 1995, an arrest warrant was issued for Fr. Llanos on 38 felony counts of child sexual abuse. The charges were later dropped because they fell outside the statute of limitations.
In 1995, Fr. Llanos was sent to St. Luke Institute, an institution known for treating priests accused of child sexual abuse. He committed suicide in December 1996. Father Llanos was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors.
According to a list maintained by Bishop Accountability.org, Father Llanos was accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing an 8-year-old boy on at least three occasions between approximately 1988 and 1992. At the time the sexual abuse began, Father Llanos was assigned to St. Barnabas Church in Long Beach, California. The boy’s family did not attend St. Barnabas Church, but they came to know Father Llanos as a family friend.
The alleged abuse occurred near the boy’s family home in Long Beach. Father Llanos reportedly fondled the boy’s penis and testicles, skin-on-skin, and Father Llanos performed oral sex on the boy.
The claim settled in 2020.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and other clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused by a priest in one of California’s Catholic dioceses, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those abused by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles now have legal options due to a voluntary compensation fund created by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our lawyers have decades of experience representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in California and nationwide. We can help.
Contact us at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.