MANCHESTER - The Attorney General's Office verified that a juvenile held at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, long referred to as the Youth Development Center or YDC, was sent to the hospital after suffering a serious attack from another youth at the site.

"A serious incident took place Friday night at the Sununu Youth Services Center involving an assault between two youths. The victim was taken to the hospital due to significant injuries," stated an email from the Attorney General's Office on Sunday.

The attack happened 10 days after Attorney General John Formella released a 56-page report on his probe into claims of staff abuse at the facility, raised by New Hampshire's Child Advocate and the Disability Rights Center-NH, which cited mistreatment and improper confinement of about 15 youths aged 13 to 18.

"Criminal charges were brought against one youth tied to this event. Since the defendant is a juvenile, the law bars release of additional details now," the office noted.

"The State is reviewing whether to seek adult certification for this defendant in the case. If pursued and approved, more information could be shared later," according to the Attorney General's Office.

Formella's probe did not confirm child abuse claims from the OCA or DRC-NH, groups that maintain their positions and continue separate reviews of the facility. Yet Formella identified ongoing systemic issues at the youth detention site.

YDC has faced ongoing controversy as hundreds of adults have alleged physical and sexual abuse there over five decades.

This led lawmakers to establish a YDC Settlement Fund and a claims process for compensation without Superior Court civil suits.

A recent development involves state efforts to reduce payments to victims and attorneys after encouraging more claims through the fund rather than court. Jury awards in two completed Superior Court trials reached $38 million, which the state contests, and $16 million. Average fund awards hover around $500,000.

"We find that SYSC operates within legal limits and that current abuse claims lack support. No physical or sexual abuse cases were found, nor evidence of systemic issues or blocked reporting. Staff injuries from youth were clearly documented," Formella's report stated.

The report highlighted staff comments that "the youth run the facility and they know it." Critics noted the probe omitted interviews with the youths involved.

Formella's findings pointed to major operational problems and dysfunction, urging reforms. Last week the state issued a request for information on facility operations, prompting questions on delays in implementing needed changes.

The Department of Health and Human Services sought input for a full assessment of Sununu Youth Services Center operations and improvement suggestions, per a Monday news release.

"DHHS wants feedback from groups experienced in residential treatment, secure youth facilities, juvenile justice, and trauma-informed care," the release indicated.

Child Advocate Cassandra Sanchez responded that she prefers directing state resources to prompt actions such as staff training at the facility.