MANCHESTER, NH — Following the latest reports of abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center under Kelly Ayotte and the completion of the Attorney General's investigation into the initial reports of abuse, Democratic candidate for governor Cinde Warmington released the following statement.

“Just ahead of the Attorney General's release of the results of its investigation into abuse at the Sununu Youth Services Center — months after the reports first surfaced — we have learned of yet another series of alleged abuses: a child denied access to the bathroom, children engaged in self-harm and leaving blood on the walls, and a child kept in restraints for 12 hours. 

“Kelly Ayotte's cuts weakened the very oversight that could have identified this abuse sooner and led to a critical shortage of youth counselors. But instead of confronting these failures, the Ayotte administration has continually denied the reports of abuse uncovered by independent watchdogs and instead blamed the victims. 

“This is a total failure of leadership — and sadly, it’s exactly what we have to come to expect from Kelly Ayotte. Every staff member who works with children should receive comprehensive, trauma-informed training, and there must be real accountability when children are harmed. As governor, I won’t rest until we put a stop to this abuse once and for all.”