(Editor’s note: This story contains allegations of sexual abuse of children. If you suspect that a child has been abused, call 800-652-1999 or report online.)

At least two staff members at the juvenile treatment center in Kearney have resigned, another is on leave and a fourth faces a criminal charge in connection with allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with teenagers in their custody.

Two of the cases involve months-old allegations, revealed in a series of recent court proceedings. They have sparked concerns about a potential “systemic problem” at the center and prompted Douglas County’s Public Defender Office to initiate a review of all cases involving its clients housed at the state-run center.

In one teen’s case, a judge wrote that she was “disgusted and disturbed as to the

See Full Page