ABOUT THIS REPORTING
In fall 2025, sexual abuse allegations against state employees at YRTC-Kearney started coming to light in juvenile court. Some of the allegations were months old – it took judges aback and outraged their attorneys.
Flatwater was there for those hearings, and we’ve covered the expanding scandal at every turn since: Closely tracking court filings for names of alleged abusers, requesting public records, talking to YRTC-Kearney employees and connecting with families of the kids who alleged abuse.
At the same time, we learned the state was planning to shuffle kids among several state facilities. So, we covered that too.
There will be more to come.
‘Been through hell’: Boys who allege state employees sexually abused them in Kearney have uncertain support
Four employees have been arrested. More have been accused. But people may not see the boys they hurt as victims.
-
State employees abused Omaha teen, who was then punished when he reported it, lawsuit alleges
Local and national lawyers are teaming up on the case to sue current and former employees of the scandal-ridden Kearney YRTC. More lawsuits are likely to follow.
-
Teens were allegedly abused by state employees. It will be hard to sue the state.
State senators have introduced bills to let Nebraskans more easily sue the state in cases like the sexual abuse at Kearney’s YRTC. They passed one bill targeting child abuse in schools, but Gov. Jim Pillen vetoed it. The state’s top court has also made it tougher to sue.
-
‘Been through hell’: Boys who allege state employees sexually abused them in Kearney have uncertain support
Four employees have been arrested. More have been accused. But people may not see the boys they hurt as victims.
-
Kearney center’s culture allowed sexual abuse of teens in state custody, new investigation finds
The report, released Tuesday, reached a strikingly different conclusion than the state’s own internal review last fall.
-
DHHS ousts administrator overseeing state youth centers amid Kearney sex abuse scandal
The department announced the latest leadership shakeup and shared a list of reforms at its Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers.
-
Kearney youth center scandal snowballs as fourth ex-worker arrested, another sent to jail
In one case, YRTC staff knew of sex abuse allegations as early as spring 2025. The alleged teen victim was kept in isolation with no therapy addressing the abuse for six months.
-
Third ex-employee arrested in widening teen sex abuse scandal in Kearney
At least 10 teens were involved in allegations of sexual abuse by multiple staff at the facility last year.
-
DHHS head pledges to be ‘thoughtful and careful’ after lawmakers balk at plan to move in-custody teens
The plan, which would involve moving youth among five state-run facilities, came as a surprise to many advocates, lawmakers and staff earlier this year.
-
Nebraska DHHS fires top administrator at troubled Kearney youth center
It’s the first known leadership termination since allegations of sex abuse at the center surfaced publicly last year.
-
Second Kearney staffer arrested on allegations she sexually abused youth in state’s care
Staff at the agency that runs the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center determined months ago that the issue is not systemic, an internal document shows. A retired judge called that finding “shocking.”
-
State planning to move boys from troubled Kearney youth center to Omaha
State leaders assert the changes, which require legislative action, will better serve teens in the system and save the state money.
-
Pillen pledges accountability as watchdog launches probe into alleged sex abuse at Kearney youth center
State says it has moved five teens out of the Kearney center since September due to allegations of sexual abuse by staff members.
-
Pattern of alleged staff sexual abuse at state-run Kearney youth center emerges in court hearings
Two staff members at the juvenile treatment center in Kearney have resigned, another is on leave and a third faces a criminal charge in connection with allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with teenagers in their custody.
Impact
Since the first story published last year, the following has happened:
- The Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare launched a months-long investigation, which found extensive allegations and a culture that allowed abuse.
- DHHS reconfigured the YRTC’s administration, replaced two administrators and made many operational changes.
- Four ex-employees were arrested and charged for the alleged abuse. One has been sentenced to two years in jail.