AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday that everyone in Maine needs to join the fight against child abuse.
The governor spoke at a press conference called by the Maine Children’s Trust to highlight work being done around Maine to prevent abuse. The annual event was held under the shadow of the two recent child abuse deaths in the state: those of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy and 4-year-old Kendall Chick.
Gov. LePage said he has taken charge of investigating the need for changes in the state’s system for preventing and reporting abuse, and said people need to be willing to speak up if they suspect a child is being abused.
"I encourage anyone who sees a sign of abuse or neglect to report it," he said. "If you’re a mandatory reporter and see something that causes you to wonder about child abuse, do not check with your supervisor or talk to colleagues. Just report it. Just get it done; we need to report it."
LePage has said the responsibilities of so-called "mandatory reporters" of abuse are one of the issues he wants to be strengthened by new regulations.
Investigations into those two deaths continue. At the same time, state police continue to investigate the death of a 2-year-old child in Bucksport in October.
Police have said that is also a homicide, but no one has yet been charged with a crime.
To report child abuse or neglect call 1-800-452-1999. Deaf/hard of hearing should call Maine Relay 711. The Maine Child and Family Services line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.