FBI agents began investigating Jon Fenton more than a year ago, after noticing his actions on a file-sharing website.

The number of children removed from abusive homes in Maine has declined more than 50 percent in the past decade, as the Department of Health and Human Services has pursued a policy of keeping children with parents unless they face physical abuse or serious neglect.

The number of children removed from abusive homes in Maine has declined more than 50 percent in the past decade, as the Department of Health and Human Services has pursued a policy of keeping children with parents unless they face physical abuse or serious neglect.

The owner of a Windham escort service has been charged with trying to extort money from a longtime Falmouth client, according to federal court documents.

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage backs the Department of Health and Human Services’ refusal to release information on how it handled a report of suspected child abuse at the Arundel home of Ethan Henderson, a 10-week-old baby who died, allegedly at his father’s hands.

The governor’s spokeswoman says LePage agrees the information could affect the criminal investigation of Gordon Collins-Faunce, who is charged with murder in the death of 10-week-old Ethan Henderson.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services refused to say Wednesday when it first learned that child abuse might be occurring at the home of Ethan Henderson, the 10-week-old boy who died after his father allegedly lifted him by the head and threw him into a chair.