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New Hampshire
A Glimmer of Justice: New Hampshire Moves to Amend Settlement Fund for Youth Center Abuse Victims
Imagine carrying a burden, invisible and heavy, through decades, your voice unheard, your pain unacknowledged. Now, envision a moment, not of retribution, but of recognition, a step towards healing. This is the precipice upon which over 1,400 individuals stand, as New Hampshire legislators contemplate a crucial bill that seeks to extend a lifeline to those who experienced abuse as children at the state’s youth detention centers.
A Beacon in the Dark: Expanding the Settlement Fund
In a move that intertwines compassion with justice, the proposed legislation aims to significantly widen the eligibility criteria for the settlement fund, thereby embracing a broader spectrum of suffering endured by former residents of the Sununu Youth Services Center, formerly known as the Youth Development Center. Under the current system, claims are largely restricted to sexual assault or severe physical assault. However, the bill, borne out of intense negotiations, proposes to include victims of reckless conduct, criminal threatening, child endangerment, solitary confinement, unlawful strip-search, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Attorney General John Formella, addressing the Senate Judiciary Committee, underscored the dual nature of this moment: a deep-seated shame for the past coupled with a burgeoning pride in the efforts to make amends. The scandal, which unraveled in 2019 following charges against two former workers, cast a long shadow over the institution’s legacy, dating back sixty years. Among the voices seeking justice is David Meehan, who bravely shared his harrowing experiences, leading the charge against the pervasive culture of abuse that once thrived in the shadows of the detention center.
The Human Cost: Victims’ Voices
The narrative of reform and restitution is punctuated by the poignant testimonies of those who endured unimaginable horrors. Brett Malcolm, one of the claimants, shared his ordeal in a letter to the committee, shedding light on the added insult of bureaucratic indifference he faced when seeking redress. His story, like many others, underscores the profound impact of the abuse, not just as a physical and emotional scar, but as a systemic failure to protect the most vulnerable.
The proposed amendments promise a more inclusive and empathetic approach to compensation, with victims of egregious sexual abuse eligible for up to $2.5 million, and those subjected to non-sexual abuse or solitary confinement receiving up to $250,000 and $100,000, respectively. This legislative overhaul not only acknowledges the varied dimensions of abuse but also extends the filing deadline, offering a beacon of hope to many who had resigned themselves to silence.
Looking Forward: The Path to Healing
While the bill represents a monumental shift towards accountability and healing, it is but the first step on a long road. The state has earmarked $100 million for the settlement fund, a figure that, while substantial, may pale in comparison to the depth of the trauma inflicted. Yet, for many victims, this gesture is less about the financial compensation and more about the acknowledgment of their suffering.
As New Hampshire stands on the brink of enacting meaningful change, the story of its youth detention centers serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of neglect and the resilience of the human spirit. The proposed settlement fund expansion, though not a panacea, offers a semblance of justice to those whose childhoods were marred by abuse. It is a testament to the state’s commitment to right the wrongs of the past and to ensure that such dark chapters are never repeated.
Crime
Elijah Allman’s arrest on March 1 was his second in New Hampshire in a matter of days.
A court hearing for Cher’s son Wednesday over allegations he broke into a New Hampshire home this month has been canceled.
Elijah Allman’s arrest on March 1 was his second in New Hampshire in a matter of days. Allman, the 49-year-old son of the iconic singer and actress, was also detained Feb. 27, accused of acting belligerently at a prestigious prep school in Concord.
It is unclear if Allman, of Malibu, California, has any connection to the home in Windham, New Hampshire. He is being held in the Rockingham County Department of Corrections, Superintendent Jonathan Banville said.
The hearing Wednesday was continued until an undetermined date after Allman got an attorney Wednesday morning. The attorney, Sarah Landres, did not respond to a request for comment.
Allman, whose father was the late singer Gregg Allman, is charged with two counts of criminal mischief, one count of burglary and a count of breach of bail for breaking into the home on March 1. Police said in a report that Allman did not have permission to be at the home and forcibly entered it.
Officials at St. Paul’s School said Allman last month identified himself as the parent of a prospective student and slipped into the dining hall as some students were leaving the building. Police responded to reports that he was disturbing people in the building.
He was charged with four misdemeanors in the school incident: two counts of simple assault, criminal trespass and criminal threatening. Allman was also charged with a violation of disorderly conduct, which is illegal in the state but not considered a crime. He was released on bail.
Allman did not respond to an email requesting comment, and a phone number for him was not working.
In December 2023, Cher filed a petition to become a temporary conservator overseeing her son’s money, saying Allman’s struggles with his mental health and addiction have left him unable to manage his assets and potentially put his life in danger.
The petition says the superstar performer’s son is entitled to regular payments from a trust fund. But “given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues,” she is “concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah’s life at risk,” the petition says.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica Uzcategui denied the request, saying she was not convinced that a conservatorship was urgently needed. Allman was in the courtroom with his attorneys, who acknowledged his previous struggles but argued that he was in a good place, was attending meetings, getting treatment and reconciling with his estranged wife.
The son of Cher is scheduled to be in court Wednesday for a hearing over allegations he broke into a New Hampshire home earlier this month.
It was the second arrest in a matter of days for Elijah Allman, 49, of Malibu, California, who was detained Feb. 27 after allegedly acting belligerently at a prestigious prep school in New Hampshire. It was unclear if Allman had any connection to either St. Paul’s School or the home in Windham, New Hampshire.
Allman remains in the Rockingham County Department of Corrections in what is called preventive detention, Superintendent Jonathan Banville said.
Allman, whose father was the late singer Gregg Allman, faces two counts of criminal mischief, one count of burglary and a count of breach of bail for breaking into the home on March 1. Police said in a report that Allman did not have permission to be at the home and forcibly entered it .
In the incident at the prep school, Allman was charged with four misdemeanors: two counts of simple assault, criminal trespass and criminal threatening. Allman was also charged with a violation of disorderly conduct, which is illegal in the state but not considered a crime.
At about 7 p.m. that day, Concord police responded to reports that Allman was disturbing people in the dining hall of St. Paul’s School. After charging Allman, police said he was released on bail as his case works through the court system.
Allman did not respond to an email requesting comment, and a phone number for him was not working. It was unclear from the court records if Allman has an attorney.
In December 2023, Cher filed a petition to become a temporary conservator overseeing her son’s money, saying Allman struggles with mental health issues and addiction have left him unable to manage his assets and potentially put his life in danger.
The petition from the singer and actress said Elijah Allman is entitled to regular payments from a trust fund. But “given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues,” she is “concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah’s life at risk,” the petition says.
A few weeks later, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica Uzcategui denied the request, saying she was not convinced that a conservatorship was urgently needed. Allman was in the courtroom with his his attorneys, who acknowledged his previous struggles but argued that he is in a good place now, attending meetings, getting treatment and reconciling with his previously estranged wife.
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