Since 2015, more than 165 children monitored by the Arizona DCS have died due to abuse and neglect. That’s an absolutely abhorrent figure and it’s completely unacceptable. But it gets worse. Phoenix news team KPNX combed through five years of DCS child fatality reports. In doing so, they discovered that DCS had already been involved in the lives of nearly half of those children. DCS had a duty to protect these children. To rescue them. To keep them safe. However, the state failed to protect them. The Arizona child welfare system allowed many child deaths to take place.
The Arizona Child Welfare System
You may have seen or heard about some of these Arizona child abuse and neglect crimes in the news. Highlights include children left strapped into car seats who died from heat exposure, a mother who pepper-sprayed her seven adopted children to gather more YouTube views, and a 6-year-old locked in a closet who starved to death.
As a result, the Arizona child welfare system had gotten involved and decided there were no dangers to the children. Some neglect or abuse allegations brought to the attention of DCS were simply laughed at. Ignored. Others, swept under the rug.
Arizona DCS was only established in 2014. However, its entire history is marred with the unprevented deaths of unprotected children abandoned to the mercy of their caregivers. Of course, this unfortunate reality is due to the fact that Jan Brewer’s shutdown of Arizona CPS hardly made a dent in the corruption-laden organization.
A statement released by the Arizona Department of Child Safety basically states that they can only remove a child from their home if sufficient evidence exists to do so. However, if there’s not sufficient evidence, DCS cannot remove a child from the home.
Deaths in the Arizona Child Welfare System
The Arizona Child Fatality Review Board believes more can be done. They feel that every child death resulting from neglect or abuse is entirely preventable. This board of review has become more involved, trying to raise awareness of these human rights issues. Additionally, they’re attempting to prevent the deaths of any more children who the Arizona child welfare system is responsible for. The review board reports these abuse and neglect deaths of children involved with DCS have been increasing since 2010.
On top of this ongoing child death crisis, the Arizona Department of Child Safety has a new computer system that has blocked state oversight and withheld payments to adoptive and foster parents. The Arizona child welfare system had purposefully shut down the caregiver payment portal, simply to reduce the strain on their new system. Furthermore, some caregivers still have not received all the money designated to them. Money provided to assist the adopted and fostered children in their care. And they’re not the only ones.
There’s also an issue with the extended foster care program not distributing funds. This program was designed to help foster children survive once they turn 18, however, some have been left out in the cold. Literally. In fact, as many as 100 of these kids have also not received their designated payments from the Arizona child welfare system. Some DCS employees buy things like gift cards to help them. However, this nightmarish inefficiency is far from fixed. There’s no reason to believe things will get better any time soon.
Recent Interventions
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee has unanimously decided to require House bill 2247 to allow the Arizona state Ombudsman/Citizen’s Aide to directly access the DCS computer system. The bill still has to pass in order to become law, so who knows what will happen.
In the meantime, hundreds of children and their caretakers are at the mercy of the Arizona child welfare system. And in more ways than one. Like always, children will continue to suffer unnecessary harm while they’re in their “care.”
As time goes on, more children are harmed and more families will be torn apart. Finally, and most disturbingly of all, criminals will continue to run the show. They’ll profit from a broken system. But it gets worse. Many of those people will be protected by the very laws meant to keep us safe from their predatory practices. Arizona is in a very sad state right now and things aren’t improving fast enough.
Help Us Fight the Good Fight
Costs to document this historical government tragedy have been excessive. However, they are far from over. Our personal expenses to fight the powers that continue to victimize our children and their families have exceeded over $1,000,000. They continue to grow by the day. In order to save face, the state of Arizona continues to blame the victims of corruption. They do so at great damage to their reputations and credibility.
Any contribution you can make to aid our cause is most appreciated. You can donate to Saving Grace Advocates using the link provided. Please help us fight Arizona CPS corruption and bring justice to the families and children who have suffered at their hands. Thank you for your continued support and contributions.
Sincerely,
References:
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-child-welfare/2021/03/22/guardian-access-dcs-new-computer-system-topic-senate-hearing/4795759001/
- https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/1R/proposed/S.2247BARTO.pdf
- https://www.12news.com/article/news/community/children-in-crisis-number-of-children-dying-from-abuse-or-neglect-known-to-cps-agencies-is-increasing/75-49f26ac7-c356-4ff4-a36c-e206a15aaeb