BOB CHRISTIE Associated Press

May 7, 2014
PHOENIX — Five senior Arizona child welfare employees who were fired last month for their role in the closure of more than 6,500 child abuse and neglect cases without investigation defended their actions Wednesday, saying they followed orders to create a system that culled out low-priority cases and lowered crushing caseloads. 

January 31, 2014
PHOENIX—An independent team named by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to review the state's troubled child welfare agency on Friday called for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the department to focus it purely on child safety.
The team released a 54-page review outlining steps needed to address yearslong problems at Child Protective Services. The most severe issue was revealed in November when more than 6,500 child abuse and neglect reports were found to have not been investigated.