UPDATE: Bail set at $500,000 for both Sharon and Julio Carrillo.
BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) — Former neighbors of the Carrillo family say they heard abuse happening and reported it to police and the Department of Health and Human Services but, the now deceased 10-year-old, Marissa Kennedy, was never removed from the home.
"It's gut-wrenching," said one Bangor neighbor who lived near the family before they moved to Stockton Springs. He told NEWS CENTER Maine calls were made to a number of agencies, by a number of neighbors.
"She should still be alive, someone dropped the ball."
Marissa was found dead in her grandparent's Stockton Springs' apartment Sunday. Police arrested her mother and step-father, Sharon and Julio Carrillo, and have charged them with her death.
Court documents show the child had endured months of daily beatings that ultimately killed her.
"Truancy officers were here, DHHS was here all these agencies were notified," the neighbor said.
"That little girl should never have been killed like that, it should have been stopped with all the people who reported them."
Before living in Stockton Springs, the couple and family lived in an apartment in Bangor. Neighbors there tell NEWS CENTER Maine the family lived there for about a year but moved out towards the end of summer.
Ethan Miele and his roommate lived in the apartment above the family. When Miele heard the news of Marissa's death he says he wasn't really surprised but wondered if he could have done more while they his neighbors.
"I called the police at least twice," Miele said. "What more can you do?"
Miele says his roommate kicked the couple's apartment door in at one point because of how loud the beatings were.
"He talked to the guy and he said 'oh we were just having a verbal disagreement.'" Miele said.
Bangor Police say they did have contact with the family while they were living in Bangor but have given no details because of the on-going investigation into the couple.
According to court records, Julio Carrillo told police he and his wife would punish Marissa by having her kneel on on the tile kitchen floor with her hands in the air while she was whipped repeatedly on the ribs with a leather belt.
Sharon and Julio Carrillo are each being held on $500,000 bail at the Waldo County Jail in Belfast.
State police said two other young children present in the home at 7 Harbor View Dr., ages 1 and 2, were taken into custody by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
At this time DHHS has declined to comment on the matter, stating privacy laws.