Maricopa County prosecutor calls for CPS changes
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Web Producer: Laura Kittell
PHOENIX (AP) - Maricopa County's chief prosecutor wants an investigative unit separate from state Child Protective Services to decide whether police or case workers handle certain child abuse reports.
County Attorney Bill Montgomery's proposal to require police, and not CPS, to investigate child-abuse allegations spotlights a key dispute over how to improve the state's child-welfare system.
The Arizona Republic reports if investigators deem a child a potential victim of serious abuse, authorities would segregate the child from other family members, including siblings, and place the child with a specially trained foster family.
CPS would have no further involvement. Montgomery said Tuesday CPS has proven itself incapable year after year in dealing with children who are victimized.
Some child-welfare advocates say Montgomery's plan goes too far. They're pushing for more money for CPS and reforms that include better training for child welfare workers.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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