A recent tragedy has once again placed Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) under intense scrutiny. Sixteen-year-old Zariah Dodd, who was 22 weeks pregnant, was found shot and killed at Marivue Park in west Phoenix on July 5th, shortly after disappearing from a Surprise group home. Court records reveal Zariah expressed fear for her safety to both her caseworker and roommate in the days leading up to her death. Authorities later confirmed that the father of her unborn child, 36-year-old Jurrell Davis, was involved in her murder. He and an accomplice have been charged in connection with the crime.
Read more here.
Zariah’s case highlights a troubling pattern of oversight failures. Records indicate she told her DCS caseworker she was coerced into a sexual relationship and feared for her life. Despite this, no immediate protective measures were implemented. A forensic interview meant to address these allegations was delayed for three months—a delay that ultimately outlasted Zariah’s life. Advocates and former foster parents are now asking the same question: “Could this have been prevented?”
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Multiple children have died under DCS care in recent years, including two separate cases involving children with Type 1 diabetes. In both situations, children were placed in group homes operated by Sunshine Residential Group Homes and were allowed to refuse insulin, the medication they needed to survive. These preventable deaths underscore systemic issues within Arizona’s foster care system. Read about Jakob Blodgett’s case and Christian Williams’ case.
At Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A., we believe in holding negligent agencies and care facilities accountable. When children are placed in state custody, the government and contracted providers assume a legal duty to protect them. Failure to provide basic safety measures or necessary medical care is unacceptable. Our firm is currently involved in litigation against Sunshine Residential Group Homes for similar failures in a separate case. These cases demand justice—not only for the victims and their families but to prevent future tragedies.
If your family has been impacted by negligence while in foster care or state custody, you have legal options. Contact Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A. today to discuss your case:
Phone number: (602) 483-6869