Father Theodore Llanos
Diocese of Orange
Ordained: 1974
Died: 1997
Assigned as follows:
- 1975-1978 St. Bernard (Los Angeles, CA)
- 1979 St. Bernard’s Church (Bellflower, CA)
- 1980-1984 St. Louise de Marillac Church (Covina, CA)
- 1985-1989 St. Barnabas (Long Beach, CA)
- 1990-1992 Epiphany Church (South El Monte, CA)
- 1993-1994 St. Lucy (Long Beach, CA)
- 1995 Sick Leave
- 1996 St. Lucy (Long Beach, CA)
Summary of Abuse Allegations against Father Theodore Llanos:
Father Theodore Llanos was ordained a priest in 1974 and served in multiple parishes in the Diocese of Orange. According to media reports, was suspected of molesting dozens of boys over a 20-year period. He allegedly targeted altar boys. 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. On the Personnel Board 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 Father Llanos on 38 felony counts of child sexual abuse. The charges were later dropped because they fell outside the statute of limitations. Father Llanos was sent to St. Luke Institute, an institution known for treating priests accused of child sexual abuse. He committed suicide in December 1996.
According to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at least 21 survivors have come forward alleging child sexual abuse by Father Llanos over a 20-year period. Father Llanos allegedly sexually abused children while he worked at St. Barbara in Santa Ana as a Deacon before he was ordained; St. Bernard in Los Angeles; St. Louise de Marillac in Covina; St. Bernard in Bellflower; and St. Barnabas in Long Beach.
Father Llanos was included in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ list of priests accused of sexual misconduct involving minors. There have been numerous civil lawsuits filed against him, including six in 1996, two in 1997 and another two in 2003. They were among the 508 suits to be settled for a record-setting $660 million. Father Llanos is ranked #4 on the Archdiocese’s list of top 10 abusers.
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 Diocese of Orange 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 Diocese of Orange now have legal options due to a temporary change in California law, 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.