7th man arrested in sex abuse case at youth detention center

CONCORD, N.H. — A former youth detention center worker accused of responding to a bruised and crying teenager’s rape allegations by saying, “Look little fella, that just doesn’t happen,” was arrested Thursday in the latest development in a broad investigation into the New Hampshire facility. “Searles cut him off, responding ‘Look little fella, that just doesn’t happen.’ Then Searles left.” The criminal charges did not indicate whom Searles is accused of raping. Assistant Attorney General Timothy Sullivan disagreed, saying, “The passage of time in some circumstances might reduce the defendant’s dangerousness, but this is not one of those circumstances.” Asbury, a supervisor, helped other workers throw a teenage boy to the floor and then held him down while two others raped him, Sullivan said. “They were sent there to be counseled, they were sent their to receive treatment, and instead they received nothing of the sort, but rather received horrific sexual violence.” Poulette’s attorney, James Rosenberg, said his client denies the allegations and was heartened that the court did not order him held without bail.