BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) — A former teacher at New Hampshire’s youth detention center testified Monday that she reported suspicious bruises on at least half a dozen teenage boys in the 1990s, including the former resident who filed a landmark lawsuit against the state.
Brenda Wouters, who taught social studies at the Sununu Youth Services Center for 35 years, was the final witness called by David Meehan, who is seeking to hold the state accountable for physical, sexual and emotional abuse he says he suffered as a teen. Since he went to police in 2017, 11 former state workers have been arrested, and more than 1,100 former residents of the Manchester facility have filed lawsuits alleging six decades of abuse.
Wouters, who retired in 2022, said during the civil trial that she remembered Meehan growing sullen and withdrawn during his three years at what was then called the Youth Development Center. He had a black eye twice, she said. Another time, she asked him to lift up his shirt after she caught a glimpse of bruising and saw a “rainbow” of bruises along his torso.
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
300,000 new families eligible for welfare program in Sri Lanka
12 feared killed as boat capsizes in India
Africa Energy Indaba highlights prospects of South Africa
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Chinese experts help farmers in Cote d'Ivoire achieve bumper harvest of paddy rice
Russia repeatedly sought peaceful solution to problems in Ukraine: Putin
Attacker shot dead after fatally stabbing Israeli soldier
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal
22 killed, 10 injured as tractor trolley overturns in India
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
Netanyahu, Biden talk over hostages, aid to Gaza