CONCORD, NH — Today, Cinde Warmington, Democratic candidate for Governor, citing new reports of children abused at the Sununu Youth Services Center, slammed Kelly Ayotte for budget cuts that have allowed the abuse to continue. 

“In the face of decades of history and thousands of cases of abuse, Kelly Ayotte and her administration have failed to protect the kids who depend on them for their safety and well-being,” said Cinde Warmington. “Kelly Ayotte’s budget cuts to the Office of the Child Advocate have allowed this abuse to persist, and worse, she has created yet another generation of victims.” 

Despite Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez speaking out publicly against the impact of budget cuts — including reducing the capacity to review all the incidents at the SYSC — Kelly Ayotte’s budget slashed the Office of the Child Advocate in half. As a result, the independent watchdog office lost the sole employee responsible for reviewing restraints and isolation, which Sanchez said has made it “difficult” to monitor abuse following the latest reports at the SYSC. 

Warmington was joined at the news conference by State Sen. Pat Long and State Rep. Mary Jane Wallner.

“The Sununu Center has been the site of some of the worst abuse this state has ever seen. Heinous and unspeakable acts of abuse. Physical beatings, choking, rape,” said Rep. Wallner. “And yet, even after thousands of victims have come forward about what happened behind the walls of this facility, here we are again — fresh reports of abuse under Kelly Ayotte’s watch.”

Sen. Long said: “I was raised at Saint Peter's Orphanage on the West Side of Manchester. I know what it is like to be a kid in the care of others. I know what it's like to wonder if any of the adults in the room are looking out for you. These children at the Sununu Center are wondering the same thing right now. And the answer they're getting from this Governor is: no.”

The allegations of abuse — which now include the use of restraints, isolation, strip searches, and limited access to drinking water — were first reported by the Office of the Child Advocate to the Division for Children, Youth and Families on March 13. The Disability Rights Center-NH has said that abuse at the SYSC is ongoing — despite claims made by the Attorney General’s Office that abuse stopped in the wake of the first report.

“As Governor, I will make sure that the Office of the Child Advocate and the Division for Children, Youth and Families have what they need to keep kids safe. I will fight so that the victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at this facility get the justice they deserve — and kids in the care of our state are protected,” added Warmington.