New Hampshire settles youth center abuse case for $10 million

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- The New Hampshire attorney general's office has reached a $10 million settlement with Michael Gilpatrick, who alleged that he was gang-raped in a stairwell at the Youth Development Center during the 1990s. Gilpatrick's lawsuit against the state aimed to address the abuse he suffered while institutionalized as a teenager, and although it would have been one of over 1,300 cases scheduled for trial, both parties chose to settle out of court.

Gilpatrick, now 41, was sent to the detention center at the age of 14, where he faced accusations of severe physical and sexual abuse involving several staff members. His allegations revealed that he was subjected to repeated assaults and violence, which he described as leaving him deeply traumatized. In a previous interview, he expressed the isolation and fear felt during his time at the facility, stating that he struggled for decades with the memories of his experiences.

The $10 million settlement is notably higher than the state’s maximum compensation for abuse claims, although it falls short of the $38 million awarded in a separate lawsuit last May, which is still under dispute as the state seeks to reduce it. Gilpatrick's case highlights the ongoing legal and emotional struggles faced by victims of institutional abuse, and this resolution allows him to avoid the potential trauma of further courtroom battles.

Criminal charges have been brought against several former staff members at the youth center, with two already convicted. Gilpatrick has bravely testified in court about the assaults and the culture of violence perpetrated by staff, describing their coordinated efforts to target vulnerable residents. As investigations continue, the facility itself is set to close as state lawmakers work towards replacing it with a smaller facility.

In light of his past, Gilpatrick has emphasized the importance of sharing his story after years of silence, attributing his ability to speak out to a newfound understanding of his circumstances. The youth detention center, which once housed many children but now serves only a few, is named after former Governor John H. Sununu, and its closure reflects a broader recognition of the need for reform in the treatment of at-risk youth.