Civil Trial Opens in Youth Development Center Abuse Trial

Jury selection begins Monday in the first of several civil trials alleging child abuse at New Hampshire’s state-run juvenile jail.

More than 1,100 people have filed suit against the state over allegations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse by staff at the Youth Development Center, going back nearly six decades.

Now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center, the trial could result in millions of dollars in damages for the initial plaintiff, David Meehan.

The New Hampshire Department of Justice is representing the state.

It denies negligence and claims not to be liable for what it termed ‘rogue’ employees.

Eleven former state employees have been arrested on criminal charges, and those trials will begin this summer.