Yet again, we are presented with headlines reinforcing that girls and women occupy a second-place status here in Maine.

On April 7, 2025, Kyle Erik Gott of Rockland was sentenced to five years in prison for “gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact” against a minor child that reportedly happened on over 100 different occasions, and spanned eight years.

This child suffered through eight years of torment and abuse. Her childhood has been stolen from her, and she will carry a lifetime of painful memories of the unspeakable things done to her, yet her abuser will be out of jail in 24 to 30 months. Even if Gott serves the full five years (he won’t), it will be significantly shorter than the eight years he abused and tormented this poor child, and it will never hold a candle to the life sentence he imposed on his victim.

This girl and her family deserved justice. Instead it was her abuser who received consideration, empathy and preferential treatment.

This poor child was abused twice, once by Gott and a second time by the Maine judicial system.

Scott Eccleston
Old Orchard Beach