Once again, the many families of the falsely accused are in distress as to the handling of another case regarding the recent Lizotte family tragedy. Why did these “experts” have the police converge on George Lizotte? Wouldn’t it have been easier to let him take his son home and then have someone try to talk to him?

As to the headline, “Boy’s death emphasizes need for DHS security” — wrong! It emphasizes the need to create intensive family services in Maine which has already been done in several other states back in 1984. Their purpose is to keep families together, if there is a problem, and work with the family. I have sent the literature on this to many of our legislators with a step-by-step implementation plan, cost-wise as well.

Isn’t it time to bring back families? You know the old saying, “As Maine goess, so goes the nation.” It certainly doesn’t apply here with the workings of some of the people at the Department of Human Services. That’s my opinion after having dealt with them for more than five years. As to the statement that George Lizotte did not like going for visits with his son at the DHS, I can identify with that because it is not a pleasant atmosphere at all, and unless you have been through it, you have no idea what it is like to be allowed a one-hour visit per week in an unnatural setting, and then when you have to leave and the child is asking, “Why can’t I go home?”

It’s time for a change. There should be a full investigation into the child-protective divison of the DHS. Marilyn Smart Glenburnr