Senate President Sharon Carson Launches Investigation Into Serious Allegations

Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, announced on April 10, 2026, the formation of a subcommittee to investigate allegations of abuse and punitive treatment at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, New Hampshire. Carson described the reports as deeply serious allegations that demand swift and decisive action.

The investigation follows a report from the New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate, which serves as a watchdog for the state’s residential facilities for youth and child protection system. The report, signed by Cassandra Sanchez and dated March 30, 2026, alleges that children at the facility, formerly known as the Youth Development Center (YDC), were subjected to punitive conditions throughout March 2026.

Allegations of Punitive Conditions

According to the Office of the Child Advocate, the watchdog first received a report from a child at the facility in early March 2026. Subsequent interviews with children at the center revealed that they had been living under a protracted lockdown status for approximately six weeks.

Children described a series of restrictions during this period, including being forbidden from going outdoors and being denied access to full school programs. The report further alleges that youth were kept in long periods of isolation, which extended to their meal times.

We are in jail now

Child interviewed by the Office of the Child Advocate

Another child expressed concern over the psychological impact of the environment, stating to investigators, I don’t want to become one of those mental kids, but this is going to make me one.

Restraint Incident and Medical Neglect

The watchdog report details a specific incident occurring on March 17, 2026, in which a child was allegedly held in an illegal prone position for approximately 3 ½ minutes. This restraint resulted in the child suffering a broken bone.

The Office of the Child Advocate noted that video footage of the incident did not align with the internal reports filed by the facility. Documentation indicated that there was a delay in providing medical care for the broken bone.

Government and State Response

Senate President Carson stated that the newly formed subcommittee has already visited the facility. She indicated that the state will act to ensure children receive necessary support and that the subcommittee will provide a full report on its findings.

The Office of the Child Advocate confirmed that Governor Ayotte and the Executive Council have been notified of the complaints. Governor Ayotte stated that the state will take whatever action is necessary to protect children and ensure the system is functioning correctly.

Survivor Perspectives

The current investigation has drawn reactions from former residents of the facility. Chuck Miles, who reported being abused in state care 35 years ago, expressed skepticism regarding the state’s ability to implement meaningful change.

Miles stated that he believes the state does not want to be accountable to victims and asserted that the lack of care for children in the system has remained constant since his own time in state custody.