There seems to be a new nationwide trend of horrible, brutal mistreatment of children. Perhaps just more adults are being discovered abusing children.

From pedophiles to sexual predators, to moms and dads, boyfriends, to even babysitters – a segment of the society is abusing, maiming and even killing children.

Many people still have memories of the baby in Auburn being put into an oven, with the adults blaming it on the devil.

Recently, I read how someone had twisted the legs of an infant until both legs fractured in two places. In another instance, a babysitter put a young child in a clothes dryer because the child was interrupting watching a television show. The child died.

On Feb. 1, I read how a man in Ohio was sentenced to 16 years in prison for disciplining his three children, ages 3,10 and 12, with a dog shock collar.

In a lot of those cases, someone else had knowledge that some sort of abuse was going on, or suspected it. I would plead with everyone, from family, friends, clergy, police, fire and rescue, teachers, counselors, day-care providers and even strangers, to get involved in this seemingly growing plague that has stricken society. Tell officials what you know.

Children are the gateway to the nation’s future.

Larry Pelletier, Auburn