Gov. Hobbs promises accountability after death of 15-year-old boy in DCS custody

PHOENIX – Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a former social worker, is considering an ABC15 investigation into the death of 15-year-old Christian Williams in the state’s child support system.

“I have worked with children throughout my career, just like Christian, and his death is a tragedy,” Governor Hobbs said at a recent press event.

Christian is the second child with type 1 diabetes to die in the state’s care in less than two years.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety has since launched an investigation into Christian’s death and the agency has said its findings will be made public.

“I can’t comment on the investigation because it’s ongoing, other than to say it’s absolutely something we take very seriously and we are looking into,” Governor Hobbs said.

Christian, a type 1 diabetic, died in July 2024 while living in a Mesa group home. Records show he was allowed to refuse his insulin and by the time group staff called 911, it was ultimately too late.

Christian was found unconscious when first responders arrived. He died a few days later at the hospital, according to Mesa police and fire officials. The medical examiner ruled his cause of death was diabetic ketoacidosis, a preventable condition caused by a lack of insulin.

“We don’t want what happened to him to happen to anyone else’s child,” said Christian’s father, DeForrest Williams.

“I lost my baby. He was my firstborn. I’ll never get him back,” Christian’s mother Bobbie Williams. “We relied on the Arizona Department of Child Safety.”

Another child with type 1 diabetes died in DCS custody

The ABC15 Investigators previously reported on the death of Jakob Blodgett, 9, who died just 18 days after being placed in DCS custody.

Jakob had type 1 diabetes and died in December 2022. Records show he was also allowed to withhold his insulin, the lifesaving medication he needed to live, while in another group home contracted by the state.

Christian died less than two years later under similar circumstances while living in another DCS group home.

The incident report shows that DCS knew the group home was concerned

The state incident report from Catalyst Community Corporation, the group home where Christian lived, only adds to the family’s anger and frustration.

The report says Christian’s death managers at the group home held an emergency meeting for the child and family team with DCS weeks before the death, where they said Christian “required a higher level of care due to his medical concerns and mental health. Although the team agreed, there was no progress in implementing these changes.”

“Our goal would obviously be to prevent future situations like this,” Governor Hobbs said. “We will get answers as soon as possible.”

ABC15 will continue to monitor the status of the DCS investigation into Christian’s death.

Sen. TJ Shope, R-Casa Grande, has also demanded accountability and answers following ABC15’s reporting.

“These are life-saving medications that he has to take, so there has to be some kind of protocol,” said DeForrest, Christian’s father.

The Williams family recently notified the state and the group home of an ongoing lawsuit.

Do you have a tip for the ABC15 investigators? Email researcher Jennifer Kovaleski at [email protected].