MANCHESTER, N.H. — A former youth detention counselor in New Hampshire is facing trial over allegations of sexual abuse involving a boy who was held at the facility in the 1990s. The case is part of a wider investigation into decades of alleged abuse at the state’s youth detention center, which has led to more than 1,100 lawsuits and multiple criminal prosecutions.
Former Youth Counselor Charged in Decades-Old Abuse Case
Jeffrey Buskey, 60, of Litchfield, New Hampshire, is accused of sexually assaulting four boys who were held at the Youth Development Center in Manchester during the late 1990s.
His first case to reach trial involves David Meehan, who was 14 when he entered the facility in 1995. Buskey faces 21 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault connected to allegations made by Meehan.
The criminal proceedings began Monday, September 14, 2026, marking a significant development in a scandal that has drawn widespread attention across New Hampshire.
Meehan’s allegations helped bring the abuse claims into the public spotlight. In 2017, he disclosed his experiences to his wife after becoming concerned that one of his sons might be sent to the same facility.
Allegations Spark Major Youth Detention Investigation
The case traces back to Meehan’s allegations of abuse at the Youth Development Center, now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center.
Meehan was the first person to file what would become more than 1,100 lawsuits alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse at the facility over a period spanning six decades. His allegations contributed to the arrest of Buskey and another former employee in 2019.
The investigation subsequently resulted in nine additional arrests and the creation of a settlement fund intended to compensate people who reported abuse at the center.
During a civil trial in 2024, Meehan testified that Buskey initially appeared to be a trusted adult who offered him snacks, soda and opportunities to play basketball. He alleged that the relationship later turned abusive, with repeated sexual assaults.
A jury awarded Meehan $38 million in May 2024. However, that verdict remains under dispute, as the state has sought to reduce the amount to $475,000.
Prosecutors and Defense Present Different Accounts
In opening statements, prosecutors described the allegations as a deeply traumatic experience for Meehan. Associate Attorney General Thomas Velardi told jurors that the fear of his own child being sent to the facility eventually led Meehan to reveal what he had kept secret for years.
Prosecutors allege that Buskey used violence and threats to control Meehan. They argue that the abuse continued until he eventually stopped resisting.
The defense has rejected the allegations. Attorney Delia McCarthy argued that there is no corroborating evidence supporting Meehan’s claims. She also questioned the consistency of his account and pointed to his history of mental illness.
Buskey has denied abusing Meehan. In a police interview, he said he had been kind to the boy and described their relationship as positive.
Meehan was the first witness called after jury selection.
New Hampshire Youth Center Faces Closure
The Sununu Youth Services Center, named after former Gov. John H. Sununu, once housed more than 100 children. It now typically serves fewer than a dozen young people accused or convicted of the most serious violent offenses.
New Hampshire lawmakers have approved plans to close the existing facility and replace it with a smaller center at a new location.
The criminal proceedings against Buskey are among several cases stemming from the broader youth detention abuse investigation. Three former workers — Bradley Asbury, Stanley Watson and James Woodlock — have been convicted in separate cases. Other prosecutions have ended in acquittals, mistrials, dismissed charges or remain pending.
The outcome of Buskey’s trial could become another major milestone in New Hampshire’s ongoing effort to address allegations of abuse at its former youth detention center.
