Episode Details

Cassandra Sanchez, New Hampshire’s former child advocate who fought to overhaul the state’s child welfare system, is stepping down after four years marked by bold reforms and mounting political pressure. She took office in 2022 amid national outrage over missing children and systemic failures — including the tragic case of Harmony Montgomery and horrific conditions at a Tennessee facility she exposed. Despite her efforts to strengthen oversight and protect vulnerable youth, Sanchez faced fierce backlash from lawmakers seeking to eliminate the agency, budget cuts that gutted staff, and criticism over her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. Now, with her holdover status expired and Allen Aldenberg stepping in as acting advocate, Sanchez fears the future of the independent office — and the critical Sununu Youth Services Center investigation — is in jeopardy.

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