CONCORD, NH — In response to new reports of serious abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) documented by the New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), Cinde Warmington released the following statement. 

“The long and vicious cycle of child abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center, continuing under Kelly Ayotte’s administration, is appalling. Kelly Ayotte and New Hampshire Republicans cut in half the budget for the Office of the Child Advocate, making it harder for the independent watchdog to protect children at the Center, and to adequately review the use of restraint and isolation. Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez had previously warned of this very risk.    

“Given the disturbing nature of these new reports, Kelly Ayotte owes the people of New Hampshire an explanation of why she allowed deep budget cuts that jeopardized the OCA’s ability to protect these children, and a plan to prevent future abuse.”