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      • Child Welfare Investigative Specialist (OCWI)
      • Search All Positions
    • We Are Compassioneers
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    • DCS Reports
    • Performance Measures
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      • Agency Progress
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    • Process for Release of Info
    • Settlement - Tinsley v. Faust
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  • Statement on Investigation into Deaths of Three Phoenix Children

Statement on Investigation into Deaths of Three Phoenix Children

June 03, 2016
Statement

PHOENIX (Friday, June 3, 2016) - On June 2nd, 2016, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), and the Phoenix Police Department conducted a joint investigation into the murder of three children; ages 8, 5, and 2 months.  Their mother survived self-inflicted stab wounds and is suspected in the murder.  DCS Director Gregory McKay released the following statement:

“It is a sad day as we reflect on the gruesome nature of what occurred.  We grieve as a community, trying to understand why three innocent souls have been taken.  We grieve as an organization, suffering the loss of children whom we knew.  When a child is murdered, it’s common to ask if something could have been done to prevent such a tragedy.  At DCS, we ask ourselves those questions because we take the responsibility of protecting children very seriously.  But our powers are limited; we cannot predict the future; and people, can at times, do awful things.

The following represents the history our department had with the involved family:

In 2010, DCS received allegations of a child with a small abrasion on his forehead.  Investigators were unable to locate the family.

In 2011, DCS investigated an allegation of child neglect due to marijuana odor coming from the family home.  The mother was referred for family preservation services, a DCS funded contract with a private provider.  The mother refused to receive services by the provider.  There was no reason or legal grounds to take the children into emergency state care and the case was closed as unsubstantiated.

In 2016, DCS investigated an allegation that the mother gave birth to a baby exposed to marijuana.  The investigator found the children to be safe and referred the mother for services, again contracted and paid for by DCS.  The mother did not participate in services by the provider.  There was no reason or legal grounds to take the children into emergency state care.  The case was substantiated and closed.

There remains an ongoing criminal investigation into these tragic deaths and DCS will do all it can to assist the Phoenix Police Department in bringing the appropriate resolution.   DCS will be conducting an internal review to ensure processes are employed to best protect children.

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and pray for the peace of the departed.

I ask all Arizonans to respect, support, and commend the dedicated men and women of DCS and Law Enforcement who do the unimaginable.  Who do, when no one else can or will.  Who comfort the afflicted, protect the weak, and wipe the tears; who then go find a private place to shed their own.”

 

DCS DECLARACIÓN DE LA INVESTIGACIÓN SOBRE MUERTE DE TRES PHOENIX CHILDREN

 

PHOENIX (Viernes, 3 de Junio 2016) - El 2 de junio de 2016, el Departamento de Seguridad para Niños (DCS), y el Departamento de Policía de Phoenix Arizona llevó a cabo una investigación conjunta sobre el asesinato de tres niños; las edades de 8, 5 y 2 meses. Su madre sobrevivió las heridas por arma blanca infligidas a sí mismo y es sospecha en el asesinato. Director Gregory McKay de DCS hizo las siguientes declaraciones: 


"Es un día triste al reflexionar sobre la naturaleza espantosa de lo que ocurrió. Lloramos como comunidad, tratando de entender por qué se han tomado tres almas inocentes. Lloramos como organización, sufriendo la pérdida de hijos a los que conocíamos. Cuando se asesina a un niño, que es común a preguntar si algo se podría haber hecho para evitar una tragedia. En DCS, nos preguntamos esas preguntas porque tomamos la responsabilidad de proteger a los niños muy en serio. Pero nuestros poderes son limitados; No podemos predecir el futuro; y la gente, pueden, a veces, hacer cosas terribles.
 
A continuación se presenta la historia de nuestro departamento que tenía con la familia involucrada:
 
En 2010, DCS recibió acusaciones de un niño con una pequeña abrasión en la frente. Los investigadores no pudieron localizar a la familia.
 
En 2011, DCS investigó una denuncia de abandono de los niños debido al olor a marihuana saliendo de la casa familiar. La madre fue referida servicios de preservación de familia, un contrato financiado por DCS con un proveedor privado. La madre se negó a recibir servicios por parte del proveedor. No había ninguna razón ni motivo legal para llevar a los niños al cuidado del estado de emergencia y el caso se cerró por falta de fundamento.
 
En 2016, DCS investigó la alegación de que la madre dio a luz a un bebé expuesto a la marihuana. El investigador encontró que los niños estén seguros y se refirió a la madre de los servicios contratados, de nuevo y pagados por DCS. La madre no participó en los servicios por parte del proveedor. No había ninguna razón ni motivo legal para llevar a los niños en el cuidado del estado de emergencia. El caso fue nuevamente cerrado por falta de fundamento.
 
Sigue existiendo una investigación criminal en curso en estas trágicas muertes y DCS hará todo lo posible para ayudar al Departamento de Policía de Phoenix en traer la resolución adecuada. DCS llevará a cabo una revisión interna para asegurar que se emplean procesos para proteger mejor los niños.
 
Ofrecemos nuestras más profundas condolencias a la familia y oramos por la paz de los difuntos.
 
Pido a todos los ciudadanos de Arizona a respetar, apoyar y felicito a los dedicados hombres y mujeres de países en desarrollo y el Departamento De Policía que han hecho todo lo posible. Quién va a confortar a los afligidos, a proteger a los débiles, y limpiar las lágrimas; de quien va en busca de un lugar privado para derramar su propia lagrima."

Media Contact

Darren DaRonco
Public Information Officer
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: (602) 255-2564

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