The embattled head of the state’s child welfare department has resigned, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Monday.

Todd Landry, who led the Office of Child and Family Services for five years, came under fire last month when legislators on the Government Oversight Committee lambasted him for what they considered to be failings at the department.

The comments followed the release of a report that shows Maine children experience repeat instances of abuse and neglect at twice the national average.

“I’m really concerned we’re not getting better,” said. Rep. Anne-Marie Mastracccio (D-Sanford) in October. “If I was in your position, I would be asking myself ‘gee, am I providing the leadership that I should be to bring us to a different place?’ because it is not getting better.”

Criticism came from the other side of the aisle as well, with Sen. Lisa Keim (R-Dixfield) saying she and others are “shocked and horrified by the news that keeps coming out.”

“If we were to take a vote today, I’d take a vote of no confidence in you,” she said. “The buck stops there. It just does.”

In his resignation letter dated today, Landry cited “personal reasons” for his departure, which takes effect immediately.

In a statement, department spokeswoman Jackie Farwell said that Bobbi Johnson, the associate director of child welfare services, will now serve as acting director.

The statement indicated support for the office during Landry’s tenure, saying that improvements came through the pandemic and after.

The accomplishments include “strengthening access and quality, making great strides in implementing the Children’s Behavioral Health Plan, and diligently working to improve the child welfare system while focusing on prevention through the implementation of the Family First Preventative Services Act and the development of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Plan,” the statement said.

Farwell said the state will “continue to address problems in the child welfare system under the Acting and next Director.”

The October criticism came in light of the recent arrest of Tyler Witham-Jordan, 29, of Edgecomb who is charged with depraved indifference murder in the death of Makinzlee Handrahan, 3.

Court records show DHHS had prior involvement with the family just months before Makinzlee’s death.

The committee has spent years investigating four child deaths in which DHHS has had prior contact with the families.

Earlier this month, the state watchdog office criticized the department for its handling of the family of Jaden Harding, who died at six weeks old. His father, Ronald Harding, was convicted of manslaughter.

The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability found that prior to Jaden’s birth, the department had contact with his family that “warranted additional departmental intervention.”

It also outlined two issues that spanned multiple investigations, other “practice issues” and three opportunities for improvement.