Witness testimony began in the trial of David Meehan, a former resident of New Hampshire’s youth detention center, who alleges he was physically and sexually abused during his time at the facility in the late 1990s. Meehan, now 42, went to police in 2017 and later sued the state, sparking multiple arrests of former state workers and over 1,100 lawsuits from former residents. In emotional testimony, Meehan described his early years and arrival at the facility at the age of 14, detailing instances of physical abuse by his parents and the traumatic experiences he faced at the Youth Development Center.
Meehan’s testimony included memories of being handcuffed to a wooden chair during intake at the facility and feeling both scared and safe as a young boy. He recounted his experiences of running away, breaking into homes, and spending time in a pre-trial detention center where he was involved in an attempted escape that led to a riot. Another former resident, Michael Gilpatrick, also testified about the abuse he endured at the facility, including being choked unconscious and sexually assaulted by a staff member. Gilpatrick described how the trauma he experienced at the center led to a life of criminal behavior and time spent behind bars for drug-related crimes.
Despite the challenges he faced after leaving the facility, Gilpatrick has since turned his life around, becoming a married father of three and owning a waterproofing business. He reflected on how his time at the detention center normalized abuse and criminal behavior for him, leading to many years of legal troubles. While both Meehan and Gilpatrick have accused individuals of abusing them during their time at the center, the defendants have pleaded not guilty to criminal charges. The attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting the suspects in criminal cases, is also defending the state in civil cases filed by former residents, creating a complex legal dynamic.
The trials and testimonies of Meehan and Gilpatrick shed light on the long-standing issue of abuse at the New Hampshire youth detention center and the lasting impact it has had on its former residents. The survivors’ accounts provide valuable insight into the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to occur and highlight the need for accountability and justice. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the state will address the allegations of negligence and misconduct at the facility, and how the survivors’ stories will influence future reforms in the state’s juvenile justice system.
