By Matthew Holloway |
Arizona Senate Appropriations and Transportation Committee Chairman David Farnsworth (R-LD10) is calling attention to a rise in runaway and missing youth cases involving group homes and residential treatment campuses. He announced efforts to develop a pilot program aimed at improving prevention and response.
In a statement released last week, Farnsworth said he is working with local officials and law enforcement in the Town of Queen Creek to explore funding for two full-time, specialized police officers dedicated to addressing missing-from-care incidents. The proposed positions would focus on prevention efforts, rapid response when a youth is reported missing, and thorough investigations.
Farnsworth said he is engaging with group-home operators, municipal leaders, and law enforcement to develop a three-pillar framework centered on prevention, response, and investigation. While the plan is still in development, Farnsworth said the long-term objective is to craft legislation that could establish a statewide model for addressing runaway and missing youth cases.
“We must recognize the growing issue of missing and runaway youth in these settings; it is a pressing concern that requires our attention,” Farnsworth said.
“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.”
Queen Creek has been identified as a focal point for the initiative due to a significant increase in missing youth incidents tied to residential treatment campuses and group-home settings located in the area. Those facilities serve some of Arizona’s most vulnerable children, prompting renewed concern among lawmakers and local leaders.
According to the Queen Creek Police Department’s Missing Persons page on Facebook, three missing persons posts have been created since September 1st, with two of them listed as found, and one, 14-year-old Abrianna Madrid, still listed as missing since November 13th.
Queen Creek Vice Mayor Leah Martineau expressed support for the effort, citing the risks faced by youth who leave group-care and residential treatment settings without authorization.
“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,” Martineau said. “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.”
Martineau said the proposed pilot program positions Queen Creek to serve as a test case for solutions that could be adopted by other Arizona communities, if successful.
Details of the pilot program, including funding mechanisms and legislative language, have not yet been finalized. Farnsworth said additional discussions with stakeholders will continue as the proposal takes shape.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
