Two Maine babies and two toddlers died during May through August of 2021 due to suspected abuse by their parents. The four child homicides in three months set a state record.
The unusually high number of child homicides prompted outrage and concern about Maine’s child protective services, which had contact with most of the families prior to the deaths. As such, The Maine Monitor examined what happened and what health care and child protection procedures didn’t work.
FEATURED STORY:
What more can be done? Some are haunted as child deaths in Maine continue to rise
‘Nothing’s changed’ in the child welfare system, says a former school nurse who will never forget a 10-year-old girl who suffered so much.
All Stories:
Barbara Walsh: Maine’s struggles with domestic violence and child abuse worsened last summer
Our project, “Unsafe Homes: Children in Peril,” put a spotlight on the issue. A legislative advocate for children is optimistic about pending reforms.
Child homicides are the tip of Maine’s ‘iceberg of abuse’
The damage to babies and children in the state is causing mild learning disabilities, damaging neurological conditions … and deaths.
Diagnosing abuse requires collaboration and expert advice, child advocates say
The advocates say assessments done in Maine child protective cases are not thorough and continue to leave children at risk in their homes.
Premature birth, premature death: The sad, tragic life of a Maine child
Maddox Williams, born to parents battling drug and alcohol addictions, didn’t live to age 4. His mother is charged with his murder.
What more can be done? Some are haunted as child deaths in Maine continue to rise
‘Nothing’s changed’ in the child welfare system, says a former school nurse who will never forget a 10-year-old girl who suffered so much.