Arizona mother demands accountability after son’s death in DCS custody

MESA, AZ – Serious questions are being raised about the Arizona Department of Child Safety after newly released records show a 15-year-old boy died in DCS custody while living in a Mesa group home.

Christian Williams, 15, is now the second child with type 1 diabetes to die in state care. According to police reports and a state incident report, he was the second child allowed to refuse his insulin, the life-saving medication he needed to live.

“They let us down,” said Christian’s mother, Bobbie Williams.

The emergency call from the group home came too late

The call for help happened two months ago and haunts the Williams family.

“What’s up?” the 911 operator asked the woman who made the call from her home.

“Yes. I have a teenager who refuses insulin or medical help. I won’t go anywhere. Now he’s making strange noises on the floor,” the staff member said.

“He’s making a scene. Now he’s acting like he’s dead on the floor,” the group’s home staff later told the emergency dispatcher.

The call for help ultimately came too late to save Christian’s life.

“You could have called earlier,” Bobbie Williams said.

According to the police report, Christian was found unconscious at the Mesa group home where he lived.

“They assumed he was faking behavioral problems because he had behavioral problems,” said Christian’s father, DeForrest Williams.

“And he was looking for attention,” Bobbie said.

But records show they were wrong.

Police camera video shows the reaction

Body camera video captured by ABC15 investigators details Mesa police and firefighting in Mesa.

The video calls into question whether staff at the residence were properly trained to deal with Christian’s diabetes.

“So now he’s acting like he’s dead on the ground,” a woman at the scene told the Mesa officer.

The residence hall employee then told the Mesa officer, “He’s fine. He’s holding his breath.”

But as soon as officers and paramedics arrive, the situation escalates.

The video shows Christian not responding. Paramedics had to physically carry him out of the toilet where he was found.

“We need to get his heart racing,” a paramedic said on the body camera video.

The Mesa police report states, “Christian’s lips appeared blue and his eyes were barely open.”

“Paramedics began performing chest compressions after determining he was not breathing,” the report said.

“It’s very difficult for me to watch these videos and read about what happened,” Bobbie said.

Christian died in hospital a few days later July 10, 2024. The coroner ruled his cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis, a preventable condition caused by inadequate insulin intake.

“I lost my baby. He was my firstborn. “I’ll never get him back,” Bobbie said. “We trusted the Arizona Department of Child Safety.”

Christian struggled with his mental health

Christian lived with his parents his entire life, except the last seven months. As Christian grew older, he began to struggle with his mental health. His family turned to the Arizona Department of Child Safety for help.

“We were told they had more resources than we could provide ourselves,” DeForrest said.

“He was in her care,” Bobbie said, choking back tears. “And I blame myself every day for making this decision.”

The incident report shows that DCS knew the group home had concerns

The state incident report from Catalyst Community Corporation, the group home where Christian lived, only adds to the family’s anger and frustration.

According to the report, just weeks earlier, Christian’s end-of-life managers at the residence held an emergency child and family team meeting with DCS where they said Christian “required a higher level of care due to his medical concerns and mental health.” Although the team was in agreement (agreement), there was no progress in implementing these changes.”

“How could you?” DeForrest said.

It was also the second time in two weeks, records show, that Christian required emergency care for his diabetes while at the group home.

“I said…what has to happen for my son to die?” Bobbie said. “And then two weeks later we get this call.”

Another child with type 1 diabetes died in DCS custody

ABC15 Investigators previously reported on the death of 9-year-old Jakob Blodgett, who died just 18 days after being taken into custody by DCS.

Jacob was a type 1 diabetic and died in December 2022. Records show he was also allowed to refuse his insulin, the life-saving medication he needed to live, while housed in another state-mandated residential facility.

Sen. TJ Shope, R-Casa Grande, called for accountability and answers after ABC15 reported Jacob’s death.

“Why didn’t you learn it the first time?” Then why haven’t you changed? Why does it have to be another child?” said Bobbie.

It is the mission of the Arizona Department of Child Safety to protect the state’s most vulnerable children, and DCS pays for group homes to care for children like Christian.

Lawyer files lawsuit

Attorney Robert Pastor has filed a lawsuit against DCS and the dormitory in Jakob’s case.

“This is the child safety department, and they have lost sight of the children and the concept of safety.”

Pastor is now also representing the Williams family and recently sent home a statement of claim to DCS and the group that is a precursor to a lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges: “The Arizona Department of Child Safety has a pattern and practice of placing children in foster care facilities that pose a disproportionate risk of harm.”

“It’s complete disgust. Like, ‘You did that again, what’s wrong with you?'” Pastor said.

Under the state’s contract and license with Catalyst Community Corporation, administrative regulations state that a residential home must “ensure that each child in care receives all prescribed medications at the prescribed time and in the prescribed doses.”

“Instead they sat there and said, ‘Oh, he’s faking it.’ And they were absolutely wrong. Unfortunately, that meant Christian died,” Pastor said.

For more than a year, ABC15 has asked DCS what changes have been made to prevent another tragedy. However, DCS refused to answer this question, citing the pending litigation.

“There are two children here who are dead. What are you doing? Do we need a third?” said Pastor.

The Williams family is sharing their story because they want DCS to change and ensure no other family has to endure this pain.

“It’s not fair for a mother to go to a grave and have lunch with her son,” Bobbie said, crying.

DCS begins an investigation into Christian’s death

DCS responded to ABC15’s reporting, saying the agency shares the sadness Family suffers from Christian’s tragic loss.

“Sometimes children come to us with escalated medical and behavioral crises. Our team of providers works hard to address the child’s medical and behavioral health needs,” a DCS spokesperson said in a statement.

The agency also said:

“In response to this tragedy, the department is currently investigating this incident and reviewing licensing requirements to determine whether something different can be done to better understand and care for youth with extreme health conditions.”

DCS said the results of the investigation would be publicly available upon completion.

ABC15 reached out to Governor Hobbs and requested an on-camera interview to discuss this error within her state agency, but the interview request was declined.

“As a social worker, I have worked directly with children like Christian in the hope of giving them a better life. This experience has guided my work throughout my career,” Gov. Hobbs said in a statement. “As Governor, I remain committed” to protecting the health and safety of all Arizonans, especially vulnerable children like Christian, and every child in DCS care. I am heartbroken by Christian’s story and extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

ABC15 called and sent several emails to the group home administrator but did not receive a response by our deadline.

Do you have a tip for the ABC15 investigators? Email Investigator Jennifer Kovaleski at [email protected].

Read DCS’ full statement below:

“We share his family’s sadness at Christian’s tragic loss. Sometimes children come to us with escalated medical and behavioral crises. Our team of providers works hard to address the child’s medical and behavioral health needs.

We have implemented many rules to provide guidance to providers who care for our children. You can find them Here. (apps.azsos.gov)

In response to this tragedy, the Department is currently investigating this incident and reviewing licensing requirements to determine if anything else can be done to better understand and care for youth with extreme health conditions.

The Department is committed to strengthening our partnerships with the provider community, including our medical, behavioral health and contract providers. We are committed to learning from these tragedies and making any necessary improvements to improve care and safety. Through our robust multidisciplinary review process, we strive to promote collaboration, ensure continuous learning and improve outcomes for Arizona’s children and families.”