Manchester, NH – A former worker at New Hampshire’s Youth Development Center, Stanley Watson, stands accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys during the late 1990s. The allegations emerged in the Hillsborough County Superior Court North, where a jury of six men and six women deliberated following three and a half days of testimony.
Stanley Watson, 55, from Allenstown, faces three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault involving the two teens, referred to in court by their initials, A.C. and C.S. The charges include serious allegations that Watson abused his position of authority to engage in sexual acts with the boys. According to prosecutors, Watson was not only a direct caregiver but also forged a deeper, inappropriate relationship with one of the teens, A.C., whom he later became a foster parent to.
The case has opened a window into the operations of the Youth Development Center, recently renamed the Sununu Youth Services Center, located on River Road. It is alleged that the abuse occurred in the bedrooms and a laundry room of the facility, where Watson exploited his role by reportedly offering the teens special privileges, such as allowing them out of their rooms after curfew.
In court, it was revealed that Watson categorically denied engaging in any sexual activity with the teens while they were under his care at the YDC. He also disputed claims over the nature of his relationship with A.C. after the latter became his foster child. A.C., in stark contrast, detailed a history of continuing abuse.
Evidence presented to the court included logs indicating Watson’s presence during unusual nighttime activities and a covertly recorded interview with Watson by state trooper Josh Quigley. These pieces of evidence play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation, which has unveiled nearly a million documents related to the alleged abuse at YDC.
The court also heard from Jessica Taylor, A.C.’s former foster mother before he was placed in Watson’s care. Taylor expressed deep concerns about Watson’s intentions when he displayed an unusual interest in A.C. soon after his release from the YDC. She found it inappropriate due to the nature of their prior relationship during A.C.’s detention.
Defense attorney William Korman has argued that the accusations were motivated by potential financial gains from lawsuits against the state, as part of a larger settlement for abuses claimed by over a thousand individuals. Korman suggested that the relationships established outside YDC were legal and consensual, considering A.C.’s age at the time.
Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen countered by portraying a grim scenario of life at the YDC, describing it as a place where abuse could be easily masked by solidarity among staff. Both victims did not only suffer from physical abuse but also lived in fear of retaliation if they attempted to report the misconduct.
The trial is part of a broader scrutiny of New Hampshire’s facilities for young offenders. It follows earlier cases, such as the trial of Victor Malavet, which ended in a hung jury, and the conviction of Bradley Asbury for his role in the abuse of a teenager at a different state-run center. Asbury’s sentencing is pending as further investigations continue.
The outcome of Watson’s trial could potentially influence ongoing legal actions related to historical abuse claims within state-managed juvenile facilities. Deliberations will resume Monday, with many awaiting to see how this case could further impact the handling of abuse allegations within such institutions.
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