St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Kelly sentenced Andrew and Hilery Maison to life in prison for the murder, torture and abuse of 5-year-old Mackenzie Maison and torture and abuse of her little sister Makayla. If you can read his pre-sentencing statement without your heart in your throat, you’re not human:

“One would like to believe that tragedies such as this rarely occur. Unfortunately, this has not been my experience.

“Mackenzie Maison joins the names of two other child victims whose cases I have presided over – Prhaze Galvan and Arianna Swinson.

“All three murdered by parents and step-parents whose monstrous acts defy explanation or understanding.

“What puzzles me is how, in a community so dedicated to combating child abuse and neglect, these conditions go undetected until it is too late.

“Obviously, those directly at fault shield them from the outside world. They are too young for school and are not brought to a doctor’s attention. However, family and friends have to know what is going on. Too many people, good people, choose not to get involved and turn a blind eye to reality.

“It is said that’s ‘all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.’

“What happened to Mackenzie and to her sister Makayla was evil. Those who saw and chose to do nothing are, in my mind, equally responsible for this crime. They must share the blame.”

Unfortunately for Mackenzie, Makayla, Prhaze and Arianna, Kelly was able to sentence only the Maisons on Thursday. Michigan law doesn’t hold those who saw and chose to do nothing liable for their deaths. Our state isn’t unique; laws regarding who is obligated to report child abuse and torture vary from state to state.

In the more enlightened – just 18 of them – every adult is legally required to look out for Mackenzie and Makayla, and can go to prison for failing to report what the Maisons did to them.

Michigan lawmakers need to make protecting our most vulnerable children a priority. Michigan law needs to put everyone on notice that evil must not triumph again in our state. Good people who do nothing while children die must pay for their crime.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the DHHS hot line at 855-444-3911.

– The Port Huron Times Herald