Paul LePage urges people to report suspected child abuse

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s governor is urging people to report suspected child abuse in the wake of the high-profile deaths of two young girls.

At a news conference Tuesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said anyone who suspects child abuse should speak up, especially doctors, teachers and other people who are required by law to report possible abuse.

“Do not check with your supervisor or talk to colleagues,” he said. “Just report it.”

WCSH-TV reports that LePage says he has taken charge of investigating possible reforms of the child welfare system. The state is looking into the handling of the deaths of Marissa Kennedy last month in Stockton Springs and 4-year-old Kendall Chick in December in Wiscasset.

Child abuse must be prevented. I’m personally leading the review to reform this system. No one takes this more seriously than I do. I lived it. If you suspect abuse, just report it. Listen to our children. Often it’s easy to point fingers, but we all have a duty to prevent abuse pic.twitter.com/KYXwUYurY0

— Paul R. LePage (@Governor_LePage) March 27, 2018