Kentucky Gov. Bevin apologizes for child sex abuse remarks

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin has apologized for saying that children were sexually abused because they were left home alone while teachers rallied to ask lawmakers to override his vetoes.

Bevin issued his apology in a nearly four-minute video posted online Sunday.

On Friday, Bevin’s explosive comments were part of his statement criticizing teachers for leaving work to protest at the Capitol. More than 30 school districts closed Friday. Bevin’s comments came shortly after Republican lawmakers voted to override his vetoes of an operating budget that included increased spending for public education with the help of an accompanying tax increase.

Bevin apologized several times in Sunday’s video. He says “it is not my intent to hurt anybody in this process, but to help us all move forward together.”