AUGUSTA, Maine — Bonnie Dennison has been grappling with a judicial decision that, more than a decade after her son was nearly killed by his father, allows the man supervised visits and written correspondence with the child. This ruling has reignited concerns about Maine’s child protection laws, particularly those related to the rights of parents convicted of abuse.
The ruling from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court came after Allen-Michael St. Claire, the father, was allowed to start reconnecting with his son, despite his prior conviction for assaulting the boy when he was just an infant. The contentious decision has weighed heavily on Dennison, who felt unequipped to push for legal reform amid the emotional toll of her ongoing court battles.
In response, Dennison’s sister, Corinne Corbin, initiated contact with multiple state legislators from the Lewiston and Auburn regions in an effort to advocate for changes that would better protect children from abusive parents. Despite reaching out to legislators including David Boyer, Kathy Shaw, and others, the response was tepid, with only a few expressing interest in pursuing legislative amendments.
The law in question, Maine law Title 19-A §1653, addresses parental rights and responsibilities, weighing heavily on the “best interest of the child.” However, subsections (6) and (6A) have raised concerns as they permit parents convicted of domestic or sexual abuse against children continued access under certain conditions, including the court’s confidence in the safety of the child and victim parent during contact.
Representative Daniel Sayre of Kennebunk was one legislator moved by Dennison’s plight. He has pledged to consult with colleagues specializing in family matters to explore the possibility of legislative amendments. Sayre stressed the importance of knowing what specific changes Dennison and her advocates are seeking, whether in prosecution, conviction, or visitation rights, to effectively address their concerns.
Suzanne Salisbury and Holly Stover, state representatives, acknowledged the complexities of altering guidelines set by precedent and statute, citing Title 22 which deals with the Child Protection Act. They noted that while a conviction for severe abuse could theoretically lead to the termination of parental rights, a retrospective application of such measures is complicated without a complete understanding of the original decision-making process.
Dennison has expressed little hope that publicity of her case will alter the specific judicial decision regarding her son but hopes it might at least ignite some legislative change. The overwhelming protection afforded to abusive parents, as she has painfully learned, is something she believes the public should be more aware of.
Determined to see change, Dennison is also collaborating with advocacy groups to push for legislation that would preemptively strip parental rights from individuals convicted of physical or sexual abuse against minors. Her call to action is not just about her son but for all children in similar situations, underscored by her sister’s frustration at the suggestion that therapy could mitigate her nephew’s trauma from interacting with his abusive father.
As the legal and public debates continue, Maine faces a critical examination of its child protection laws, with many eyes watching to see if the state can shift its statutes toward greater safety and justice for its most vulnerable citizens.
Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated by Open AI. Facts, circumstances, and the story presented might be inaccurate. For corrections or removal requests, please email contact@publiclawlibrary.org.