Copyright omaha
Nebraska’s child welfare watchdog has launched an investigation and the governor has promised accountability after multiple allegations surfaced in recent weeks of staff sexually abusing teenagers at a state-run center in Kearney. Five teenagers have been moved out of the Kearney Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center since Sept. 1 due to allegations of sexual abuse by staff members, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. LORI POTTER FOR THE FLATWATER FREE PRESS kAm%96 56G6=@A>6?ED[ 2=@?8 H:E9 2 ?6H 4@FCE @C56C 2?5 E96 6>6C86?46 @7 2==682E:@?D 7C@> J6E 2?@E96C E66?[ @776C65 E96 =2E6DE :?5:42E:@? E92E E96 :DDF6D 2E E96 z62C?6J *@FE9 #6923:=:E2E:@? 2?5 %C62E>6?E r6?E6C 4@F=5 36 DJDE6>:4]k^Am kAm“%96 4@?46C? 7@C E96 r@FCE :D ?@E D@=6=J E92E E96 23FD6 92AA6?65[ 3FE E96 DJDE6>2E:4 >:?:>:K2E:@?[ 4@?462=>6?E[ 2?5 5:DC682C5 3J E9@D6 :? 492C86 @7 9:D 42C6[” s@F8=2D r@F?EJ yFG6?:=6 r@FCE yF586 p>J $49F49>2? HC@E6 =2DE H666?EDk^2m[ :?G@=G65 7@FC z62C?6J *#%r 6>A=@J66D 2?5 E9C66 E66?286 3@JD] s@F8=2D r@F?EJ !F3=:4 s676?56C %@> #:=6J D2:5 @?6 >@C6 E66? 92D D:?46 D92C65 2==682E:@?D 282:?DE @?6 @7 E96 6>A=@J66D]k^Am kAmu:G6 E66?D 92G6 366? >@G65 @FE @7 E96 z62C?6J 46?E6C D:?46 $6AE] ` 2D 2 C6DF=E @7 2==682E:@?D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 }63C2D6?E @7 w62=E9 2?5 wF>2? $6CG:46D[ H9:49 @A6C2E6D z62C?6J 2?5 EH@ @E96C 46?E6CD 7@C ;FG6?:=6 @776?56CD]k^Am kAmy2J (:=D@?[ AC6D:56?E @7 E96 F?:@? E92E C6AC6D6?ED J@FE9 D64FC:EJ DE277 2E *#%r[ D2:5 u~! gg H2D?’E 2H2C6 @7 D6IF2= >:D4@?5F4E 36:?8 2 H:56C AC@3=6> 2>@?8 :ED >6>36CD] %96 F?:@? DFAA@CED :ED A6@A=6[ 96 D2:5[ 3FE :? ?@ 42D6 H@F=5 :E 4@?5@?6 E96 2==6865 3692G:@C]k^Am kAm“x ;FDE 9@A6 2== E96 2==682E:@?D 2C6 ?@E ECF6[” (:=D@? D2:5]k^Am kAmqFE z62C?6J *#%r DE277 H9@ 36=@?8 E@ E96 }63C2DA=@J66D — C@=6D =::?:DEC2E:G6 DFAA@CE DE277 — 92G6 366? 4@?D:DE6?E=J 4@?46C?65 23@FE 2 =24>:?8[ 244@C5:?8 E@ tI64FE:G6 s:C64E@C yFDE:? wF3=J] %96:C 4@?46C?D 92G6 ?@E 366? 255C6DD65 3J =6256CD9:A[ 96 D2:5]k^Am kAm}@?6 @7 E96 244FD65 2C6 }p!t >6>36CD[ 244@C5:?8 E@ wF3=J]k^Am kAmp sww$ DA@>:?8 2?5 EC62E>6?E 2E E96 724:=:EJ 2C6 8F:565 3J “6G:56?46\32D65 AC24E:46D]”k^Am kAm“x7 E96 F?:@? 92D 4@?46C?D[ :E :D 6?4@FC2865 E@ C6249 @FE E@ sww$ =6256CD9:A 2D E9:D :D E96 7:CDE E:>6 E96J 2C6 962C:?8 @7 E9:D 4@?46C?[” DA@2:=]k^Am kAmp DA@ !:==6? D2:5 E92E[ :7 244FD2E:@?D 2C6 AC@G6? ECF6[ E96 6>A=@J66D H:== 36 “AC@D64FE65 E@ E96 7F==6DE 6IE6?E @7 E96 =2H]”k^Am kAm“%96 v@G6C?@C 92D >256 4=62C E@ sww$ =6256CD9:A E92E 96 92D K6C@ E@=6C2?46 7@C DF49 :?2AAC@AC:2E6 2?5 :==682= 3692G:@C 3J E9@D6 6?ECFDE65 H:E9 E96 D276A=@J66D H9@ 6?8286 :? DF49 3692G:@C D9@F=5 36 AC@>AE=J E6C>:?2E65[ 2=@?8 H:E9 2?J >2?286C:2= DE277 H9@ H6C6 56C6=:4E :? E96:C DFA6CG:D:@?[” DA@A=6 D2:5 :? 2 DE2E6>6?E]k^Am kAm“(92E :D :>A@CE2?E :D E92E sww$ =6256CD9:A 2?5 =2H 6?7@C46>6?E 92G6 E22EE6CD[” $EC:>A=6 25565] !:==6?[ D96 D2:5[ 6IA64ED E9@D6 286?4:6D E@ “42CCJ @FE E96 :?G6DE:82E:@?D ?646DD2CJ]”k^Am kAmsww$ 5:5 ?@E D2J H96E96C 2?J >2?286C:2= DE277 925 366? 7:C65 C6=2E65 E@ E96 2==682E:@?D[ 3FE s2G:D D2:5 E92E E96 56A2CE>6?E “:D 7F==J 4@>A=J:?8 H:E9 E96 v@G6C?@C’D 5:C64E:G6 2?5 H:== E2:?2E:@?[ 2D H2CC2?E65 3J :?G6DE:82E:@? C6DF=ED]”k^Am kAm%96 }63C2D6[ E96 A2EC@= :D ?@E :?G@=G65 H:E9 2 =2C86C :?G6DE:82E:@? @7 E96 *#%r[ D2:5 DA@2D] pEE@C?6J v6?6C2= |:>6?E C682C5:?8 2?J A@E6?E:2= 24E:@? 3J 9:D @77:46]k^Am kAmy6??:76C r2CE6C[ E96 DE2E6 H2E495@8 7@C 49:=5 H6=72C6[ D2:5 4@FCE 5@4F>6?ED 2?5 u=2EH2E6C uC66 !C6DD C6A@CE:?8 DF886DE E96C6 >2J 92G6 366? @?6 @C EH@ 42D6D E92E H6C6?’E C6A@CE65 E@ 96C @77:46 — 56DA:E6 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^?63C2D6?EDk^2m E@ 5@ D@]k^Am PHIL FRIGON kAmr2CE6C 4@?7:C>65 96C @77:46 92D =2F?4965 2 “7F== :?G6DE:82E:@?[” H9:49 :E 5@6D H96? :E DFDA64ED 2 A@E6?E:2= EC6?5 E92E 6IE6?5D 36J@?5 2? :?5:G:5F2= 42D6]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAm“(6 925 366? 2=6CE65 E@ 46CE2:? E9:?8D 367@C6 E96 DE@CJ[” D96 D2:5[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^7=2EH2E6C7C66AC6DD]@C8^A2EE6C?\@7\2==6865\DE277\D6IF2=\23FD6\2E\DE2E6\CF?\6C86D\:?\4@FCE\962C:?8DQmC676CC:?8 E@ u=2EH2E6C’D AC6G:@FD C6A@CE:?8k^2m[ “3FE 6G6CJ ?6H A:646 @7 :?7@C>2E:@? 4@?7:C>D E9:D :D D@>6E9:?8 H6 ?665 E@ 36 E26?ED E@ r2CE6C’D @77:46 C6=2E65 E@ E9@D6 42D6D 2?5 H:== 4@?E:?F6 AC@G:5:?8 2== ?646DD2CJ :?7@C>2E:@?[ $EC:>A=6 D2:5]k^Am kAm“%96 *#%rD 92G6 366? 7@CE94@>:?8 2D H6 DE2CE @FC :?G6DE:82E:@?[” r2CE6C D2:5]k^Am kAmsww$ :D 2=D@ 5@:?8 :ED @H? “E9@C@F89 C6G:6H” @7 E96 2==682E:@?D[ 244@C5:?8 E@ s2G:D[ “E@ 6?DFC6 E96C6 2C6 ?@ 82AD :? C6A@CE:?8 AC@465FC6D @C AC@E@4@=D]”k^Am kAm$96 2=D@ 4@?7:C>65 E92E E96 56A2CE>6?E 92D 2=C625J >256 D@>6 492?86D] xE :D :?DE:EFE:?8 >@C6 F?D4965F=65 4964@C6 4=@D6=J >@?:E@C:?8 G:56@ DFCG6:==2?46 2?5 :D :>A=6>6?E:?8 >@C6 DE277 EC2:?:?8[ :?4=F5:?8 “2AAC@AC:2E6 3@F?52CJ 65F42E:@?[ DFA6CG:D@C EC2:?:?8[ 2?5 C6A@CE:?8 C6BF:C6>6?ED]”k^Am kAm$E2E6 $6?] qC:2? w2C5:?[ H9@ 492:CD E96 w62=E9 2?5 wF>2? $6CG:46D r@>>:EE66[ D2:5 96 92D 366? :? E@F49 H:E9 r2CE6C’D @77:46[ sww$ 2?5 E96 $E2E6 !2EC@= 23@FE E96 D:EF2E:@?]k^Am State Sen. Brian Hardin, a Republican and chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, didn’t rule out potential legislative reforms in the wake of alleged sexual abuse at the Kearney Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center. But he added that a new law is not always the best answer. MEGAN NIELSEN, THE WORLD-HERALD kAm“r=62C=J[ x 5@?’E E9:?6?E H6?E @FE 2?5 AFE FA 2 rC2:8D=:DE 25 E92E D2:5[ ‘w6J[ x H@F=5 =::D4C62?E C6AC@32E6 E@ 92G6 :?2AAC@AC:2E6 C6=2E:@?D9:AD H:E9 J@FE9 2E 2 C6923 724:=:EJ[’ 3FE :E’D 4=62C=J F?2446AE23=6j :E’D C:5:4F=@FD[” w2C5:? D2:5] “p?5 D@[ x D[ 96 D2:5 4C62E:?8 2 ?6H =2H :D?’E 2=H2JD E96 36DE @AE:@?] x? E9:D 42D6[ 6I:DE:?8 =2HD >2J 92G6 366? 3C@A=@J66D @C:8:?2==J :>A=:42E65 :? E96 2==682E:@?D 92D 366? 4C:>:?2==J 492C865]k^Am kAmpFE9@C:E:6D :? $6AE6>36C 492C865 |2CE92 #F:K !2=24:@D[ ag[ H:E9 D64@?5\568C66 D6IF2= 23FD6 @7 2 AC@E64E65 :?5:G:5F2=[ 2==68:?8 D96 925 D6IF2= 4@?E24E H:E9 2 `e\J62C\@=5 2E E96 J@FE9 46?E6C] #F:K !2=24:@D[ H9@D6 6>A=@J>6?E 6?565 :? pF8FDE[ A=62565 ?@E 8F:=EJ =2DE H666D 3642FD6 E96J 92G6 ?@E 366? 492C865 H:E9 4C:>6D]Xk^Am kAm#:=6J[ E96 s@F8=2D r@F?EJ AF3=:4 5676?56C[ 925 D2:5 9:D @77:46 H@F=5 6I2>:?6 2== @7 :ED 42D6D :?G@=G:?8 <:5D A=2465 :? z62C?6J] pD @7 E9:D H66@G6 EH@ @7 E96 E66?D[ :?4=F5:?8 E96 @?6 H9@ >256 255:E:@?2= 2==682E:@?D 282:?DE #F:K !2=24:@D :? 4@FCE[ #:=6J D2:5]k^Am kAmyF586D 56E6C>:?65 E92E EH@ @E96CD H:== DE2J :? z62C?6J[ #:=6J D2:5] w6’D ?@E 92AAJ 23@FE E92E[ 96 D2:5[ 3FE “E9:D :D ?@E E96 6?5 @7 :E” — E96C6 42? 36 >@C6 C6G:6H 962C:?8D :7 >@C6 :?7@C>2E:@? 4@>6D @FE]k^Am kAm“xE 2AA62CD E@ 36 E96 A@D:E:@? @7 2E =62DE E96 56A2CE>6?E — 2?5 >2J36 D@>6 ;F586D — E92E :? E96 23D6?46 @7 D9@H:?8 2?J 4@?E24E H:E9 E96D6 DE277 >6>36CD H9@’G6 366? :56?E:7:65[ 2?5 2?J 2==682E:@?D 3J E96 3246 36:?8[” 96 D2:5]k^Am kAmx? E96 42D6 @7 2?@E96C J@FE9[ H9@ #:=6J’D @77:46 5@6D ?@E C6AC6D6?E[ yF586 $49F49>2? :DDF65 2 DEC@?8=J H@C565 @C56C E9:D H66 E96 *#%r 2?5 :?E@ =@H6C\=6G6= A=246>6?E]k^Am kAm$96 7@F?5 E92E *#%r DE277 5:D4@G6C65 2 ?@E6 :? >:5\pAC:= H:E9 2 D6IF2==J 6IA=:4:E 4@?G6CD2E:@? 36EH66? E96 E66? 2?5 2 76>2=6 DE277 >6>36C] p44@C5:?8 E@ E96 @C56C[ E96 J@FE9 E96? 5:D4=@D65 E96 C6=2E:@?D9:A[ D2:5 E92E E96 DE277 >6>36C 925 E@F4965 9:D A6?:D @? E96 @FED:56 @7 9:D 4=@E9:?8 2?5 D2:5 E92E E96C6 925 366? “>@C6 E92? ;FDE E@F49:?8” 36EH66? E96 EH@] ':56@ DFCG6:==2?46 D9@H65 E96 E66? E@F49:?8 E96 DE277 >6>36C :?2AAC@AC:2E6=J 2D D96 D>:=65[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 5@4F>6?E]k^Am kAm%96 E66? H2D C6AC:>2?565 7@C “:?2AAC@AC:2E6=J E@F49:?8” E96 DE277 >6>36C[ 3FE E96C6’D ?@ 6G:56?46 E92E E96 DE277 >6>36C’D 23FD6 H2D 6G6C “E96C2A6FE:42==J 2AAC@24965 @C 5:D4FDD65[” 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 @C56C]k^Am kAm“%96 r@FCE 7:?5D E92E E96 :?2AAC@AC:2E6 D6IF2= 4@?E24E 3J DE277 2?5 DF3D6BF6?E 72:=FC6 E@ AC@A6C=J 255C6DD E9:D 4@?E24E 92D 4C62E65 E96 EJA6 @7 6?G:C@?>6?E 7@C H9:49 WE96 E66?X :D F?=:2? HC@E6]k^Am kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^7=2EH2E6C7C66AC6DD]@C8Q E2C86ElQ03=2?2EE6C]k^DEC@?8mk^Am Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of October 2025 The sunsets as seen from Fairfield, Neb. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Carter Nelson (29) celebrates returning a blocked punt for a touchdown during the first half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD A worker combs a Budweiser Clydesdale prior to a college football game between the Nebraska Huskers and the Michigan State Spartans in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer, center, walks ahead of Mayor John Ewing and other police command staff as police investigate a shooting at a QuickTrip convenience store at the corner of 120th and Webster Streets in Omaha, on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. One officer was shot and a suspect is in custody, according to police. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates a touchdown that tied the game at 21 during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Thomas Kluver harvests soybeans in Fairfield, Neb., on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Millard North's Abby Beard (5) connects during the third inning of a high school softball game against Lincoln Southwest in Lincoln on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Jacory Barney Jr. (2) runs the ball against Michigan State's Joshua Eaton (7) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Michigan State's Brandon Tullis (7) makes a catch against Nebraska's Vincent Shavers Jr. (9) during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD Creighton head coach Greg McDermott watches his team practice at the McDermott Center in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Creighton's Kendall McGee (1) runs during practice at the Ruth Scott Training Center in Omaha on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Scenes from a fire that had erupted from a home causing damages in Omaha, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Monarch butterflies rest and pollinate flowers while in a garden Omaha, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Children tackle each other while playing their own game of football on the field after the second half of a high school football game in Omaha, on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Michigan State's Jack Velling (12) celebrates with Michigan State's Aidan Chiles (2) after his touchdown during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Dylan Raiola (15) celebrates with Nebraska's Nyziah Hunter (13) after their touchdown pass during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska fans celebrate after Michigan State turned the ball over on downs during the second half of a college football game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Rosendo Robles stands for a portrait in Omaha, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Members of the Super Novas cheerleading team preform tricks in the air during the Terence "Bud" Crawford victory parade in downtown Omaha, on, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Lola Browder, 7, shoots bubbles out of a bubble gun during the Terence "Bud" Crawford victory parade in downtown Omaha, on, on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. MATTHEW MUELLER, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Quinn Clark (18) stiff-arms Minnesota Kerry Brown (14) on a 43-yard reception during the first half of a college football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Nebraska's Dylan Raiola (15) throws a pass as he is hit during the first half of a college football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
