News

Maine Lawmakers to Open Investigation Into Child Death

Maine Lawmakers to Open Investigation Into Child Death

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine (AP) A legislative watchdog is going to investigate Maine’s child welfare system following the brutal beating of a 10-year-old girl whose mother and stepfather are charged in her death.

The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously Friday to launch an investigation into the death of Marissa Kennedy on Feb. 25 in Stockton Springs, along with a separate case of a 4-year-old girl who died in December in Wiscasset.

Republican Sen. Roger Katz of Augusta, a committee co-chairman, said the system failed Kennedy, and added, “We all failed her.”

The 10-0 committee vote came a day before the funeral for Kennedy, who will be laid to rest Saturday in Newburgh, New York.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has said the case highlights problems in Maine’s child welfare system and the failure to intervene was a “comedy of errors.”

Latest Headlines

3 hours ago in Local

Driver cited after rear-ending MTA maintenance vehicle in Cumberland

A maintenance worker with the Maine Turnpike Authority suffered minor injuries when their truck was rear-ended in Cumberland Friday morning.

3 hours ago in Local

Maine medical examiner says Milford toddler died of hypothermia

State officials say a toddler who was found unresponsive in Milford a few days after Christmas died of hypothermia.

4 hours ago in National, Trending

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment...

4 hours ago in National, Trending

The Latest: US and Israel are trying to rescue fighter jet crew in Iran, Israeli source says

The U.S. military launched a rescue operation Friday after Iranian state media reported that an American fighter jet went down and at least...

6 hours ago in Local

No Injuries in Chaotic Multi-Vehicle Crash, Fire on I-295

Troopers say a vehicle crashed into the center median at about 7 am.