Los Angeles Seeks Dismissal of Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The city and county argue they are not liable for the 2021 deaths of three children in a high-profile case.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Sex Crimes
The city of Los Angeles filed a motion to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit brought by Erik Denton in 2022. The suit alleges LAPD officers acted with negligence regarding Liliana Carrillo's mental health prior to the 2021 deaths of her three children.
Why it matters
City attorneys contend they lack liability because the alleged police actions were not the proximate cause of the children's deaths. They further argue the case fails to establish a violation of the Child Abuse and Neglect Act.
A hearing on the city and county's motion to dismiss the lawsuit is currently scheduled for February 11, 2027. Liliana Carrillo remains in a state mental hospital after being acquitted by reason of insanity in October 2024.
The players
Erik Denton
He is the plaintiff who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles following the death of his children.
Liliana Carrillo
She is the mother of the deceased children who was acquitted by reason of insanity and is currently held in a state mental hospital.
LAPD
The police department whose officers are accused of failing to adequately respond to concerns regarding a mother's mental health.
The details
The lawsuit claims LAPD officers failed to act on warnings regarding Carrillo's mental health in March 2021. The city maintains that its officers did not have reasonable suspicion of child neglect under the Child Abuse and Neglect Act at that time.
Timeline
March 2021: Denton contacted LAPD officers regarding Carrillo's mental health.
April 10, 2021: The three children were killed in Reseda.
April 2022: Denton filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Pasadena Superior Court.
October 2024: Carrillo was acquitted by reason of insanity.
October 22, 2026: The city filed a formal motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Legal Context
The arguments in this case hinge on the interpretation of the Child Abuse and Neglect Act, which dictates the scope of state and local police responsibility in child welfare intervention. The city's motion reflects a broader legal strategy to limit government liability when law enforcement's duty to act is debated against the backdrop of mental health crises.
This case highlights the legal standards applied to police responses involving mental health and child welfare concerns. Residents may observe the court's decision as a barometer for how government agencies in Los Angeles are held accountable in cases of negligence.
The takeaway
The case underscores the high legal threshold required to prove government liability in cases involving complex mental health and domestic safety. Future rulings in this matter will likely define how authorities navigate the balance between privacy and intervention mandates.
What happens next
A hearing on the city's motion to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit is scheduled for February 11, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
