Full Breakdown
Joshua Nye Resigns as Director of New Hampshire’s Sununu Youth Services Center Amid Abuse Investigation
5/22/2026, 2:47:45 AM
Resignation of Joshua Nye Amid Abuse Investigation
Joshua Nye, appointed bureau chief of New Hampshire’s Sununu Youth Services Center in January, resigned on May 20 after the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed his departure. His exit follows a legislative committee’s call for his immediate replacement, citing an “extreme failure of leadership” amid abuse allegations and staff injuries.
Background and Allegations
State investigators, citing a March report from the Office of the Child Advocate, alleged illegal restraints that caused a broken bone and delayed medical care for 48 hours, and described a four-to-six-week lockdown. The Disability Rights Center corroborated the claims and reported staff and youth were barred from speaking during a legislative tour. Division director Marie Noonan said the injury was a broken pinky finger from a window punch and denied any extended lockdown. Three staff injuries in May were linked to assaultive behavior. Over 1,000 former residents have alleged sexual and physical abuse by staff.
Timeline of Key Developments
- Jan 2026 – Nye appointed director.
- Mar 2026 – Child Advocate report alleges illegal restraints and lockdown.
- May 7 2026 – Nye on leave.
- May 19 2026 – Committee recommends removal.
- May 20 2026 – Nye resigns.
Official Statements & Responses
Sen. Victoria Sullivan, chair of investigative committee, said the findings showed an extreme leadership failure at the center. Division director Marie Noonan said Nye was unavailable because he “needed some time off” and noted low staff morale due to youth threats. DHHS spokesperson Jake Leon affirmed the agency’s commitment to youth safety and plans to strengthen oversight and staffing.
Criticism & Opposition
The Disability Rights Center and the Office of the Child Advocate urged stronger oversight, restored funding for the child-advocate office, and a shift from law-enforcement style training to de-escalation. Attorney Peter McGrath, representing Nye, called him highly talented and well-respected, warned he is being made “a bit of a scapegoat,” and emphasized that “there are two sides to every story.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Key discrepancies remain: the child-advocate report says a broken bone resulted from an illegal restraint, while Noonan says the injury was a broken pinky finger from a window punch; the report describes a four-to-six-week lockdown, which officials deny. No independent verification of the alleged 48-hour medical delay or staff-injury details has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is an extreme failure of leadership in the facility that falls squarely on the bureau chief.” — Sen. Victoria Sullivan, Committee Chair
- “He’s highly talented and well respected.” — Peter McGrath, Attorney for Joshua Nye
- “a bit of a scapegoat.” — Peter McGrath, Attorney for Joshua Nye
- “DHHS is committed to the safety and well-being of the youth at [Sununu Center] and the staff who serve them,” — Jake Leon, DHHS Spokesperson
What’s Next
The committee recommends appointing a new director with therapeutic juvenile-justice experience, restoring funding and authority for the child-advocate office, and replacing law-enforcement style staff training with de-escalation methods. Lawmakers plan to introduce related legislation in the upcoming session, while DHHS says it will continue cooperating with the review and implement safety improvements.
