BANGOR (NEWS CENTER Maine) – Superintendent of Bangor School Department Betsy Webb—who confirmed that the school notified DHHS about Marissa Kennedy—spoke only to NEWS CENTER Maine about the 10-year-old’s tragic death Wednesday.
“It’s just a very heartbreaking situation,” she said at her office in Bangor City Hall Wednesday.
According to court documents, Kennedy was brutally beaten to death by her mother and step-father, Sharon and Julio Carrillo.
Kennedy attended Fairmount School in Bangor during the 2016-2017 school year when the family lived in the city.
“I am confident of our staff’s handling of this situation,” Webb said at her office in Bangor City Hall Wednesday.
Webb released a written statement last Thursday after Kennedy’s death to assert that the school had reported concerns to the Department of Health and Human Services on several occasions. She would not speak publicly at the time.
After attending the vigil to honor Marissa Kennedy’s life in Bangor on Monday, Webb said the students and staff are still reeling from the tragedy.
Kennedy was known as a standout student who loved to read and learn, according to Webb.
“She made an immediate impact in her classroom as being a quiet but incredibly sweet little person,” she said.
When asked if more could have been done to prevent Marissa Kennedy’s death, Webb insisted they did everything in their power, but admitted change is necessary.
“I think anyone would say that more has to be done given what happened,” she said. "Our prayers are with her and her family and just praying that she's in a better place.”
Webb said she could not address specifics about when and what was reported to authorities.
