YDC

Legislators gave the new head of the state’s Youth Development Center victim fund $20 million to resume settlements. They said more money may be available if state revenues improve.

New Hampshire’s youth detention center settlement fund has lost support among lawmakers and Attorney General John Formella over the prior administrator’s spending decisions.

The Department of Health and Human Services disputed allegations by two councilors that it had employed an individual on the sex offender registry.

The state’s top health agency says the Sununu Youth Services Center will still be short-staffed 14 counselors even with approval to maintain its 18 temporary youth counselors.

Some lawmakers said the money should fund settlements for people who were abused at the facility. Others sought to tighten those payouts.

Representatives from the state agency that oversees the Sununu Youth Services Center faced sharp questioning Friday from lawmakers on the treatment of children there in recent months.

After failing to secure a conviction in two previous trials, the state will not pursue a third case against Victor Malavet, who maintains his innocence.

Lawmakers held a tense hearing Monday and investigators released new details about conditions inside the state’s secure facility for youth.

“What we're seeing is almost a backpedaling from reforms that were made in the facility,” said Cassandra Sanchez, the state’s child advocate. The state health department and Attorney General’s office have since announced their own investigations.

The Office of the Child Advocate says reforms are needed at a state-run facility following reports of alleged mistreatment of children.