An attorney who represents parents whose children are wards of the state said the Office of Child Welfare Investigations keeps its reports secret, making it difficult for parents to defend themselves, violating their rights and blurring the line between police and social work.

The state Senate confirmed Greg McKay as the new director of the Department of Child Safety despite objections from some legislators who say they lacked all the necessary information to vet Gov. Doug Ducey’s appointee.

A group of lawmakers and Capitol staffers racing to create a new child safety and welfare agency in a matter of weeks must still iron out a few details, including how to handle criminal conduct investigations and provide oversight of the department, according to documents obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times.

Child welfare investigators specializing in cases of sexual and physical abuse are relinquishing thousands of cases to ordinary caseworkers, who are already overburdened, a practice that is possibly in violation of the law.

Lawmakers have tabled language granting investigators with the Office of Child Welfare Investigations police powers in a limited scope.

A new independent state agency charged with investigating cases of child abuse and neglect may include substantial new oversight, including an annual external audit of the department and a citizen oversight board.

Ten years ago this week, Arizona lawmakers were on the verge of approving a law to strengthen Child Protective Services and ensure the agency investigates all cases of neglect and abuse.

Gov. Jan Brewer voiced her confidence in DES Director Clarence Carter today as she announced a special team to oversee the investigation of thousands of child abuse cases CPS disregarded under his watch.

CPS workers close out thousands of cases before they are investigated

An alarming increase in the number and severity of child abuse and neglect cases threatens to wipe out efficiencies Child Protective Services has gained over the last year, Department of Economic Security Director Clarence Carter said today.