AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER Maine) --The Maine Department of Health and Human Services isn’t providing any details about the killing of 10-year old Marissa Kennedy this week. The girl died as a result of child abuse, allegedly from repeated beatings by her mother and stepfather.
Former neighbors of the family said they had reported suspicions of child abuse. However, DHHS would not say if it had any involvement with that family prior to the girl’s death.
“I cannot confirm or deny any DHHS involvement as records regarding child protective activities are confidential,” read a statement from agency spokesperson Emily Spencer to New England Cable News.
This is the second child abuse death in three months. A 4-year-old was killed in Wiscasset in December, and the woman caring for her has been charged with her death. Police statements indicated DHHS had prior involvement with that child, too, but the state agency would not confirm or deny that.
In Augusta, legislators from Waldo County said Wednesday that many of their friends and neighbors are asking questions about the child’s death. House Democratic Leader Erin Herbig of Belfast said everyone needs to know more about what happened.
“There’s always more we can do to protect our children,” said Herbig. “I think its important now to ask questions how this happened, why it happened and what else can be done.“
Answers to some of those questions may not be heard until the cases go to trial, which is likely to be several months in the future, at least.
Maine DHHS says it needs the help of the public to find and stop child abuse. The agency asks anyone who suspects a child is being abused to call the DHHS HOTLINE at 1-800-452-1999.