Legislative Probe of Emily Pike Case Shines Light on Potential Solutions to Better Protect Children in State-Licensed Group Homes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Legislative Probe of Emily Pike Case Shines Light on Potential Solutions to

Better Protect Children in State-Licensed Group Homes

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senate Health & Human Services Committee Chair Carine Werner is sharing key takeaways from Wednesday's legislative probe of state-licensed group home regulations in response to the tragic murder of 14-year-old Emily Pike.

"No child should ever endure what Emily Pike endured, and I'm hopeful the information we're uncovering will help us establish solutions to ensure the safety and security of all children within the care of state-licensed group homes will not be compromised moving forward," said Senator Werner. "The system failed Emily. As state lawmakers, it is our obligation to find out why and take action to better protect vulnerable teens like her. This senseless and heartbreaking loss should have never happened, but we will not let Emily's death be in vain, and we will use this tragedy as the catalyst to spark positive change."

Testimony provided during the bipartisan Joint Legislative Oversight Committee Hearing on the Department of Child Safety (DCS) revealed a number of actions needing further evaluation through a series of upcoming stakeholder meetings, including:

• Examining statutes and polices which govern how children who are reported as "runaways" vs. children who are reported as "missing" are handled

• Reviewing federal legislation and nationwide child protective services' best practices

• Improving communication and data sharing between the State, law enforcement agencies, and tribes

• Encouraging Memorandums of Understanding and ongoing collaboration between DCS and tribal child protective services

• Exploring security upgrades within state-licensed group homes

• Requiring better documentation and record keeping for every child within state-licensed group homes

• Improving standards, qualifications, and training requirements for state-licensed group homes

• Fast-tracking forensic interviews for children who have been victimized

• Increasing access to behavioral health services for children in state/ tribal care

Stakeholder meetings will take place in the coming weeks and months. Additional committee hearings may also be considered. Information obtained will result in potential procedure changes and policy adoptions, as well as new legislation in the 2026 legislative session.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov