The tragedy that ended the life of 8-month-old Emmy-Leigh Cole of Auburn is a stark reminder of the constant need to be vigilant about preventing child abuse.

As law enforcement officers, decades of experience have shown us that one of the best ways to deter future criminality in adults is to stop them from being abused or neglected as children.

Research has shown that children who survive abuse and neglect are more likely to struggle throughout their lives. They are more likely to be unemployed, more likely to have marital problems as adults and are two-and-a-half-times more likely to attempt suicide.

Led largely by bad examples from their own parents, the cycle of violence often passes from one generation to another. In 2004, there were 4,235 substantiated Maine victims of child abuse and/or neglect. In Lewiston-Auburn, there were 165 cases of sexual and/or physical abuse involving minors last year. The Third National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect tells us the true numbers of abused and neglected children nationally is three times higher than the official documented number.

Given this fact, we can sadly surmise more than 12,000 Maine children are subject to abuse and neglect at the hands of adults who are supposed to be caring for them. Three Maine children die each year from abuse or neglect.

Emmy-Leigh’s death is a reminder we need to do more to help parents become better caretakers to stop this cycle of violence.

There is a solution that can stop this cycle. It is called home visiting. This program voluntarily pairs new parents with trained professionals who visit the family in their home, offer advice and training on how to care for their children safely. The families also learn the importance of nurturing their children.

Home visiting cuts child abuse and neglect in half and significantly reduces later crime. Kids from families left out of the program had more than twice as many arrests as the children of mothers who received home coaching.

Home visiting doesn’t just save lives, it saves money. Child abuse and neglect costs Americans more than $80 billion every year – $400 million in Maine alone. Research shows that home visiting saves four dollars for every one dollar invested, according to the national incidence study.

A bill before Congress – the Education Begins at Home Act, sponsored by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri – would authorize $400 million in grants over three years to states for home visiting programs. The bill deserves the support of every member of Congress so that no child should have to endure the pain and anguish of abuse and neglect.

Phil Crowell is chief of police in Auburn; Bill Welch is chief of police in Lewiston. Both are members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine.