BELFAST — The Department of Health and Human Services has been ordered by Justice Robert Murray to produce all records they have for Marissa Kennedy and her three younger half-siblings as part of the murder trial of their mother, Sharon Carrillo. 

Sharon Carrillo, 34, and her then-husband Julio Carrillo, 52, were arrested and charged with depraved indifference murder following the Feb. 25, 2018, death of then-10-year-old Marissa. Kennedy reportedly suffered months of prolonged daily abuse at the hands of her mother and stepfather before ultimately succumbing to her injuries.

In interviews the day of, and the day after Marissa’s death, both Carrillos took responsibility for the beatings. Ultimately both Carrillo’s changed their stories to indict the other. Sharon Carrillo maintains she was a victim of her ex-husband rather than a partner in the abuse. Julio Carrillo has denied this claim.

Julio Carrillo changed his plea to guilty July 22 and was sentenced to spend 55 years behind bars Aug. 28. 

Although the records have been ordered to be released they will likely remain hidden from the public eye, with the possibility of a DHHS representative identifying portions of the record that the agency feels should not be released either due to being irrelevant to the case, or because they “contain particularly sensitive and confidential information,” according to court documents. 

In an order specifying the scope of disclosure entered after review of DHHS’s response to the Order to Produce Records signed by Justice Murray Sept. 25, it is stipulated that “the records are to remain in the Court Clerk’s Office at all times. No duplicated or copies are to be made of any of the records and no information contained in those records is to be disclosed except by further order of the court.” 

Counsel is also advised that the records remain confidential, may be used only for purposes of litigating the pending action, and shall not be further disseminated without a court order. 

Sharon Carrillo is scheduled to go on trial Dec. 12.

See also

Maine Legislature recommends three of five child abuse, protection bills ought to pass

DHHS commissioner says LePage bill addresses questions, concerns about agency

Mother, stepfather arrested following 10-year-old daughter's death in Stockton Springs 

Mother, stepfather accused of murdering daughter to make first court appearance Wednesday 

Bail set at $500k for mother, stepfather accused of murdering daughter 

Sen. Thibodeau calls on Governor for investigation into DHHS following girl's murder 

Searsport schools plan 'Dress Blue' day in remembrance of slain girl 

Sen. Thibodeau issues statement following LePage remarks on murdered 10-year-old

Update: State investigation into Marissa Kennedy's death to take place in two phases 

Sharon, Julio Carrillo indicted for murder of 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy

Attorney for Sharon Carrillo seeks bail reduction, cites spousal abuse 

Maine Children's Trust donations grow following Stockton Spring girl's death 

Sharon Carrillo lawyer accuses state of deception

Carrillos plead not guilty to charges of murdering 10-year-old

Tensions run high in Waldo County Court as Sharon Carrillo lawyers argue to have prosecutors disqualified

Carrillo prosecutors to remain on case, judge decides

Maine Supreme Court to decide whether Sharon Carrillo prosecutors stay on case

OPEGA returns phase one report into abuse deaths of two Maine children

Gov. LePage steps in for Department of Health and Human Services at Augusta oversight hearing

Government Oversight Committee issues subpoena for DHHHS Commissioner, LePage responds  

Gov. LePage signs four of five proposed child welfare reform bills into law

Prosecutors seek joint trial for Carrillos, with separate juries for each

Sharon Carrillo lawyers file to suppress evidence, sever trials; claim torture at hands of husband

Prosecutors request further testing of Sharon Carrillo after her attorneys move to have statements suppressed

Mother, stepfather to get separate trials in murder of 10-year-old, judge says

Julio Carrillo gets 55 years behind bars for murder of 10-year-old stepdaughter

Six phones sought by Sharon Carrillo, attorneys, searched after warrant issued

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com