Two former employees of the Sununu Youth Services Center have been indicted on a combined 82 counts of aggravated sexual assault against a minor who was in custody there during the late 1990s.
The New Hampshire Attorney General's office says it is also opening a wider investigation into the treatment of minors at the facility from 1990 to 2000.
Jeffrey Buskey and Steven Murphy - both now in their 50s - are accused of repeatedly raping a minor over the course of several months in 1997 and 1998. At the time, both Murphy and Buskey were youth counselors at what is now known as the Sununu Youth Center, the state's detention facility for minors. The alleged victim was incarcerated at the center at the time of the abuse.
Buskey worked as a part-time police officer in Raymond in the mid-90s. He also worked as police officer and detective in Sanbornton from 1999 to 2004 when he was reportedly fired for writing a bad check.
The alleged victim's attorney, Rus Rilee, said his client's goal in coming forward is to "shine a light on the systemic failures that resulted in the physical and sexual abuse that he others endured over a period of decades."
"He hopes that by coming forward to law enforcement, other brave survivors will find the courage and strength to break their silence and tell their stories,” Rilee said.
The Attorney General's office is encouraging anyone who was physically or sexually abused at the Sununu Youth Center to contact their local crisis center.
According to Hillsborough County Attorney Michael Conlon, whose office prepared the indictments before handing the case over to the AG, the alleged victim in the case came forward with accusations to the Manchester police department.
Health Commissioner Jeffrey Meyers says his office has been cooperating with the investigation and will continue to do so.
Governor Chris Sununu called the indictments "sickening" and says the Attorney General's office will aggressively pursue the case.
Note: This developing story is being updated as we learn more.
