House Govt. Committee to Hold Hearings Into Child Death Cases

(State Capitol, Phoenix) House Government Committee Chairman Kirk Adams announced his committee will hold closed-door hearings on several child deaths that followed Child Protective Service inquiries. Following briefings by CPS on two Tucson cases that involved the deaths of three children, Adams said he has questions about the role of the state's child welfare system. CPS officials will be questioned about the state's involvement in the cases. "Three children are dead and I am left with many questions about what happened after the government made contact with the families," said Adams, R-Mesa. The hearings will be held behind closed doors pursuant to state law that mandates confidentiality. Adams reviewed two cases from Tucson that resulted in the deaths of three children. He is barred from speaking publicly about the cases. The hearings will occur this summer and additional cases may also be discussed. "This isn't just about these three children. This isn't just about CPS," said Rep. Jonathan Paton, R-Tucson and vice chairman of the Government Committee. "These deaths raised some serious policy questions. We can do better."