Statement from Governor Jan Brewer

Press Release

"As governor and as a mother, safeguarding Arizona's children has been a top priority of mine. That's why it is not only heartbreaking, but unconscionable to find out that thousands of cases within CPS have gone uninvestigated, potentially involving vulnerable, abused and neglected Arizona children. This is absolutely unacceptable.

"The most urgent priority is to ensure that each one of the children involved in these cases is safe. Every case must be investigated - no exceptions, no excuses. It is not only the right thing, but it is the law.

"I do not want to see the lights off at CPS until this is done.

"I've instructed DES Director Carter to immediately investigate each and every case, and to request that the Department of Public Safety conduct an independent, thorough administrative review of these casesand the process that led to this situation.

"DPS is charged with determining precisely how and why this inexcusable failure occurred. There must be accountability in this matter and I will insist on further reforms to make sure that it cannot happen again."

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