Arizona Department of Child Safety seeks new procedure for child removal

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Child Safety is working with the judicial system to establish a new procedure for caseworkers.

The new procedure would allow caseworkers to get an order from a judge before removing a child from a home, but would only apply to cases where the child is not in imminent danger.

Darren DaRonco, a spokesman for the Department of Child Safety, said this procedure would help everyone involved, including department workers, parents and children.

Workers would be protected while making “critical decisions out in the field,” parental rights would be safeguarded by “requiring a court order” and kids would be protected “from additional trauma” if the removal is unnecessary, DaRonco said.

DaRonco added the new procedure would not change the current one that allows the department to remove a child from a home if they are in danger.

The department said it does not have a time frame to implement the new procedure.