New Hampshire Youth Development Center
Criminal charges, more than 1,000 lawsuits and a state settlement fund over abuse at the state's youth detention center.
26 developments, 2021–2026, oldest first.
2021
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Former New Hampshire youth center workers charged in sex abuse investigation
State authorities announced arrests of former staff at the Youth Development Center in Manchester, accused of sexually assaulting youths in their care decades ago. The arrests came from the attorney general's YDC task force created in 2019.
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Grand jury indicts 10 of 11 former YDC employees in abuse probe
A grand jury indicted 10 of the 11 former Youth Development Center employees arrested earlier in the year on multiple counts tied to alleged sexual abuse of residents. The defendants are presumed innocent.
2022
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Hundreds of children allegedly abused at New Hampshire's state youth center, Globe examines
The Globe examined allegations by hundreds of former residents that they were abused at the state-run youth detention center over decades. The state faced a growing wave of civil suits.
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New Hampshire governor signs $100 million settlement fund for youth center abuse victims
Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation creating a $100 million fund to settle claims by people abused at the Youth Development Center. Some victims' lawyers criticized the fund's caps and terms.
2023
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Nine months in, YDC settlement fund has resolved 29 claims for $13.4 million
The state's YDC settlement fund had resolved 29 claims for about $13.4 million, with roughly 148 pending. Many victims continued to pursue lawsuits instead.
2024
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First civil trial over abuse at New Hampshire youth center opens
The first of more than 1,100 lawsuits over abuse at the Youth Development Center went to trial in Brentwood. The former resident who brought the case alleged repeated abuse by staff in the 1990s.
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Jury finds New Hampshire liable for youth center abuse, awards $38 million
A jury found the state liable in the landmark first YDC civil trial and awarded the plaintiff $38 million. The state quickly signaled it would seek to limit the payment.
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Jurors dispute state's bid to cap $38 million YDC verdict at $475,000
Jurors said the state misread their verdict after it argued a $475,000 statutory cap applied because the jury found a single incident. The cap dispute became the central fight over the award.
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New Hampshire expands YDC fund eligibility and raises settlement caps
The state broadened the types of abuse eligible for YDC fund payments and raised caps in a bid to steer victims away from lawsuits. The changes followed low early participation in the fund.
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YDC settlement fund claims surpass 500
More than 500 claims had been filed with the YDC settlement fund after eligibility expanded, with many more expected before the deadline.
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First criminal trial in YDC abuse scandal begins
Former youth center worker Victor Malavet went on trial on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage resident in the early 2000s, the first criminal trial arising from the scandal. He denied the charges.
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Mistrial declared after jury deadlocks in first YDC criminal case
A judge declared a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict in the case against former youth center worker Victor Malavet.
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Plaintiff appeals cap on $38 million YDC verdict to New Hampshire Supreme Court
The plaintiff in the landmark YDC verdict asked the state Supreme Court to overturn a ruling capping his award at $475,000.
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Former YDC staffer Bradley Asbury convicted as accomplice in 1998 rape
A jury convicted former YDC house leader Bradley Asbury on two counts of accomplice to aggravated felonious sexual assault. He became the first former staffer convicted in the scandal.
2025
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Court allows disputed YDC verdict to go to New Hampshire Supreme Court
A Superior Court judge approved sending the dispute over the $38 million verdict and the state's damages cap to the state Supreme Court.
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Former YDC supervisor Bradley Asbury sentenced to at least 20 years
A judge sentenced Asbury to at least 20 years in prison for his role in the 1998 assault of a resident. Separately, former worker Stanley Watson was convicted that month.
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New Hampshire Supreme Court agrees to hear $38 million YDC verdict dispute
The state's highest court accepted the case over whether the jury award should stand or be capped at $475,000.
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YDC fund administrator departs after new law shifts control to governor and AG
Retired Chief Justice John Broderick left his post as YDC settlement fund administrator after a new law gave the attorney general veto power over awards. He disputed the governor's account that he resigned.
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Judge rules New Hampshire may change how it settles YDC abuse claims
A Merrimack County judge allowed the state to proceed with its revised settlement process despite survivors' objections. The judge said the Legislature had authority to change the rules.
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New Hampshire Supreme Court hears arguments over $38 million YDC verdict
The justices heard arguments on the state's liability and whether the $475,000 cap applies to the landmark award.
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YDC settlement fund payouts top $237 million with nearly 1,700 claims pending
The fund had resolved 419 of 2,269 claims for more than $237 million, with 1,697 still pending and potential liability estimated near $2 billion.
2026
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Judge dismisses survivors' lawsuit over changes to YDC settlement fund
A Merrimack County judge dismissed former residents' suit claiming Gov. Kelly Ayotte weakened the fund. Survivors said they would appeal.
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Executive Council confirms new YDC settlement fund administrator
The Executive Council unanimously confirmed Gov. Ayotte's choice to run the YDC settlement fund following the 2025 restructuring.
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State drops charges against former YDC worker after two hung juries
Prosecutors dropped sexual assault charges against Victor Malavet after two trials ended in deadlocked juries, deciding against a third trial.
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Executive Council approves $20 million more for YDC settlements
The council approved $20 million to continue settling claims from people abused at the former youth center, and the administrator said consultant rates would be cut.
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Survivors ask New Hampshire Supreme Court to roll back YDC fund changes
Survivors' attorneys argued the state breached a binding agreement by giving the attorney general veto power over awards. The state contends no binding contract existed.