2,573 Maine children in state care due to abuse/neglect, successful placements drop from 30% to 22% over six years.

Maine's child custody numbers have surged to a 20-year high, with 2,573 children in state care as of June 1, primarily due to suspected abuse or neglect. The state faces challenges in securing permanent placements, with successful placements dropping from 30% to 22% over six years. Contributing factors include a court backlog and Maine's leading rate of child maltreatment, prompting reforms since high-profile child deaths in 2017-2018.

September 01, 2024
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