Senator Farnsworth Calls for Action on Rising Cases of Runaway, Missing Youth in Group Homes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Senator Farnsworth Calls for Action on Rising Cases of Runaway,

Missing Youth in Group Homes

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator David Farnsworth, Chair of the Senate Appropriations & Transportation Committee, is highlighting the growing issue of runaway and missing youth from group homes. In response to this urgent concern, Senator Farnsworth is collaborating with local officials and law enforcement in the Town of Queen Creek to explore a new pilot program. This initiative aims to fund two full-time specialized police officers dedicated to prevention, rapid response, and thorough investigations.

Queen Creek provides a unique setting for this effort due to the substantial increase in missing-from-care incidents involving youth placed in residential treatment campuses and group-home environments, which serve some of the most vulnerable young people in Arizona. This increase has prompted renewed calls for reform and greater accountability within the system. Senator Farnsworth is actively engaging with group homes and local leadership to develop a three-pillar strategy—prevention, response, and investigation—that could serve as the basis for a formal legislative proposal. While the framework is still being developed, its long-term aim is to create a model that can be replicated across Arizona to better protect at-risk youth.

"We must recognize the growing issue of missing and runaway youth in these settings; it is a pressing concern that requires our attention," said Senator Farnsworth. "By collaborating with local leaders and public safety experts, we can develop thoughtful and effective solutions. This proactive approach is the first step toward enhancing child safety and ensuring a brighter future for our community. My goal is to create legislation that not only addresses these challenges in Queen Creek but also serves as a positive example for communities throughout Arizona, making the protection of our vulnerable population a top priority."

"Youth who leave residential treatment and group-care settings without authorization face very real dangers, and Queen Creek is committed to addressing that reality head-on," said Queen Creek Vice Mayor Leah Martineau. "Our role as a community is to strengthen safeguards, respond quickly when a child is missing, and ensure each situation receives the focused attention it deserves. By working closely with Senator Farnsworth and the Queen Creek Police Department, we are taking meaningful steps to enhance safety and protect our most vulnerable young people. This pilot initiative positions Queen Creek to lead with solutions that can benefit not only our town, but other communities across Arizona as well."

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov