Dozens of distraught parents met Thursday in Northfield to express their frustration over the handling of child sexual assault allegations at the Pines Community Center and to ask how to ensure the future safety of their children.
“Are you going to tell me how to fall asleep at night?” one father shouted as the Pines’s executive director, Jim Doane, outlined changes that have already been made, including added staff and stricter security measures.
“You knew about it and you swept it under the (expletive) rug,” the father said before storming out of the venue, at Southwick School.
Parents said they were concerned over reports that a probe into the alleged conduct had opened last summer, without any personnel action taken against the suspect, Robert Magoon, a 73-year-old custodian at the Pines and a former police officer in Concord. Franklin police acknowledged on Thursday that Magoon worked as an officer there in the late ’60s, and that he resigned in 1970 to go to Concord.
Another father asked Doane directly if he was aware of the earlier accusations, though Merrimack County investigator Jen Adams advised that Doane, by answering that question, could compromise the investigative process. She said that the reported previous investigation has been folded into the current, ongoing inquiry.
“It’s an open and active investigation, and it’s really hard for us to tell you exactly what we’re uncovering and what we’ve found,” she said.
After noting that the Merrimack County attorney’s office learned of the suspicions surrounding Magoon just a week ago, Adams added, “I don’t want you guys to feel like I’m deflecting. I’ve asked a lot of these questions and we’re working on getting those answers.”
Police and county officials, who called the meeting after Magoon was arrested Monday and accused of molesting young girls at the center as early as 2014, vowed to provide answers and, in the end, justice.
“We want to make sure whoever did this bad stuff is held accountable,” said Adams.
“For the sake of all of our children,” said Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard, “let us do the investigation and the chips will fall where they may. We will look at all the facts.”
Some new information did come to light as a result of the meeting. Doane, the Pines director, said that he and the Tilton-Northfield Recreation Council – the nonprofit that runs the community center – learned of the investigation into Magoon on May 12.
That was the day that Northfield police Chief John Rafaelly said he personally learned about the accusations, and it was also the day the Pines fired Magoon from his position as maintenance supervisor, which he held for 13 years.
Doane emphasized, too, that though the Pines doesn’t need a child care license under state law as a municipal recreation center, every staff member and parent volunteer still undergoes a criminal background check.
Magoon, of Tilton, had no previous criminal record.
As of his arrest, however, Magoon has been charged with three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault involving two girls, ages 8 and 11.
Prosecutors indicated on Tuesday that more could be coming forward.
Adams and other county officials urged parents with children who have attended the Pines to speak with them and report any new claims, should they arise.
Information for how to contact authorities and the local Child Advocate Center (CAC) is expected to be posted at the Pines, and is included at the end of this article.
“If this happens – God forbid to you and your family – this process is in place,” said Bethany Cottrell, the executive director of Merrimack County’s CAC.
In the meantime, Magoon is being held at Merrimack County jail on $150,000 cash bail, and those in Northfield and Tilton communities are looking for ways to move forward. One parent stood up at the meeting to encourage parents to talk to their adult children who once attended the Pines, another suggested all recreation and child care centers should reevaluate how they’re operated, and more people voiced their support and love for the Pines staff and Tilton-Northfield Recreation Council.
Council members said they would be holding another public meeting soon.
One attendee Thursday said that the community needs to unite, since all are coping with these accusations of alleged sexual abuse.
“I grew up at the Pines, my daughter is growing up at the Pines,” said Rachele Cote, the daughter of Northfield’s Chief Raffaelly. “His grandaughter goes to the Pines – everyone is affected by this.”
If you feel your child may have experienced sexual abuse, you are mandated by law to report to the New Hampshire Division for Children, Youth and Families. Its number is 1-800-894-5533.
Also contact your local police department, and to set up the next steps and referrals, reach out to Merrimack County’s CAC by calling 219-0627.
(Elodie Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @elodie_reed. Jeremy Blackman can be reached at 369-3319, jblackman@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @JBlackmanCM.)