We are concerned about the quality of reporting in your publication.

Regarding the matter of Brittany Burke, who died in a tragic traffic accident on July 12, 2007, there are mistakes and misrepresented facts in the article you published on Oct. 11.

There is a specific reason for Gail Hunter to not be returning phone messages. She is a professional, licensed, therapeutic foster parent. Hunter works directly with agencies to protect the children in her care. She is held to professional confidentiality agreements, which are in place to protect the rights and privacy of the children in her care and their families. These agreements are in place for a reason. Hunter will not violate client confidentiality even to defend her own son.

In July Hunter asked your reporter “not to call her home again.” Your reporter failed to follow her simple request. Your newspaper would be well advised to follow Hunter’s example and let this private, tragic matter be handled in a private forum. The facts of this case are complex and not easily addressed in a newspaper article. When the true information comes out, there will be no villains. There will be only wounded people who have all suffered in an attempt to help make life easier for displaced children.

We write this letter in support of all foster parents and our friend, Gail Hunter.

Jessie Timberlake, Cape Elizabeth

Nancy Sears, Cape Elizabeth

Carol Ann Olsen, Cape Elizabeth

Jocelyn Shannon, Cape Elizabeth

Kelley Slavin, Scarborough