Maine’s 2024 Child Welfare Annual Report cites substance use, mental health challenges and a number of other family stressors as negatively affecting child safety.
child abuse
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News
Bangor mom pleads guilty to manslaughter in 10-year-old son’s death
Braxtyn Smith died in 2024 after what authorities described as months of violent abuse at the hands of his parents and grandmother, all of whom were charged with depraved indifference murder.
advertisement
Posted inMaine, News
When Maine day care centers stay quiet about abuse and neglect within their walls
Two cases show the difficulty of holding day cares accountable when they are responsible for reporting themselves.
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News
Dexter man accused of abusing his 7-month-old child
The 23-year-old man has been charged with assault after police received a report that the infant was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
Posted inMaine
Maine’s foster care population grew at the fastest rate in the nation, federal data shows
The state’s director of child and family services cited the agency’s response to high profile deaths as well as a lack of attorneys to represent parents and declining support services as reasons for the increase.
Posted inMaine
Brewer pediatrician cleared of shaken baby accusation
The Maine Board of Medical Licensure held a hearing and agreed they didn’t find any violations committed by Dr. Albert Adams earlier this year.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News
Brewer doctor could face suspension after mom says he ignored shaken baby concerns
Dr. Albert Adams has denied the mother’s claims and the state medical board has agreed to delay his suspension pending further review.
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine
Charges dropped, refiled against former Kennebunk cop in child sex abuse case
Andrew Belisle, 73, has been accused of sexually abusing a teenager several times in 2019 and 2020, before he retired from the Kennebunk Police Department.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine supreme court rules 2021 child sex abuse law is unconstitutional
The law allowed people to sue for decades-old claims of child sex abuse that were previously barred by the state’s statute of limitations.
Posted inCops & Courts, Maine, News, Religion and Values
Fort Kent woman sues Jehovah’s Witnesses, alleging child sex abuse
Shannon Simendinger, 45, previously testified against one religious leader in a criminal trial 2 years ago. He was found guilty of sexual assault.