10 years since Arizona’s child welfare agency was rebranded; kids continue to die

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — It’s been a decade since Arizona’s child welfare agency was rebranded following several high-profile child abuse deaths.

Yet, Arizona’s Family Investigates found the number of kids dying from abuse and neglect has nearly doubled from what it was back in 2014.

The interim Director of the Department of Child Safety, David Lujan, defended the agency and said they’re actively working to make improvements.

The anniversary on Wednesday comes as Stephanie Davis and her boyfriend—Thomas Desharnais—appeared in court. The couple is accused of torturing and killing Davis’ grandson, Chaskah, inside a Scottsdale motel room.

Despite three separate reports to the Arizona Department of Child Safety, Chaskah remained in their care.

The pair is charged with first-degree murder and faces the death penalty if convicted.

“Unfortunately, Chaskah’s situation is not unique and in fact is more common than not,” said Darcy Olsen, the CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the majority of kids dying from abuse and neglect in our state are under a year old.

“They’re not always involved in the child welfare system so many times the reports aren’t even coming to DCS in the first place,” Lujan said.

State data shows it’s about 50% of the time. And when it does happen, Lujan stressed there’s a process.

“We look into those cases in-depth to see at every step of the way what was done, what could be done better, to try to learn and to try to change and so that it doesn’t happen again.” Lujan said.

When state lawmakers created DCS, they established a committee to review every child’s death and develop recommendations.

While their work isn’t public, they publish annual reports, which are. Olsen said it’s not enough.

“Child protection is the only area of government right now where we don’t insist on the transparency that these children need,” Olsen explained.

Lujan points out a significant drop in the number of kids in the system altogether.

He said that’s because they focus on placing a child with a family member whenever possible, if not a foster home. A group home is a last resort, but there are four kids for every foster home available.

“Our number one priority is to make sure if fewer children are coming into the child welfare system that we’re doing that safely,” Lujan said.

Lujan said they’re reaching out to foster families, past and present, to learn more about their experiences.

Davis and Desharnais’ case continues to move forward. The trial is slated to start in September 2025.

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