The man charged with beating 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy to death back in February of 2018 is expected to plead guilty Monday afternoon in Waldo County Superior Court.

More >> Marissa Kennedy's accused killer to face judge, plead guilty Monday

Court Documents: Julio Carrillo To Plead Guilty In Stepdaughter’s Death

The stepfather accused of killing 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy last year will change his plea to guilty.

Court documents filed Monday indicate that Julio Carrillo will enter his plea in Waldo County Superior Court next week. Carrillo initially pleaded not guilty when he was charged with depraved indifference murder last year.

More >> Court Documents: Julio Carrillo To Plead Guilty In Stepdaughter’s Death

Anonymous reporting tool gains traction in Maine schools

After a student party marking the end of the school year a few weeks ago, a report came in to officials in Kennebunk’s Regional School Unit 21 about a video of two high schoolers who appeared to be drinking and repeating variations of a racial slur.

The video might have disappeared and never been brought to the attention of school administrators, but instead it was saved and reported through a new anonymous reporting system the district implemented in November.

More >> Anonymous reporting tool gains traction in Maine schools

A Buxton man faces several charges after police said he pushed two Maine Department of Health and Human Services caseworkers at his home as part of an investigation.

Buxton and Saco Police were on scene with the caseworkers at a home on Town Farm Road when George Casey, 63, came home.

More >> Buxton man arrested after police say he pushed DHHS caseworkers

Maine to improve ombudsman program for child welfare service

Maine has enacted a proposal designed to improve child welfare services by providing resources to an ombudsman program.

The state established the Child Welfare Ombudsman Program in 2001. Democratic Sen. Shenna Bellows proposed increasing funding for staffing and office space for the program.

More >> Maine to improve ombudsman program for child welfare service

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against DHHS from mother seeking contact with her daughter

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed an Eddington woman’s lawsuit that sought to force the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to allow her contact with her 7-year-old daughter, who in May was living with her father’s girlfriend in Ellsworth under an agency safety plan.

U.S. District Court Judge Lance Walker said the case belonged in state court because “federal courts do not have jurisdiction to issue child custody decrees.”

More >> Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against DHHS from mother seeking contact with her daughter

Maine law intends to crack down on young child expulsion

A new law in Maine is designed to prevent young children from being suspended or expelled from schools.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has signed "An Act To Promote Social and Emotional Learning and Development for Young Children" into law.

More >> Maine law intends to crack down on young child expulsion