Arizona lawmaker wants answers on group home policies after Emily Pike’s death

PHOENIX — The Arizona legislature will hold an oversight committee hearing on the Department of Child Safety to discuss group home policies and procedures after the death of Emily Pike.

The 14-year-old beloved member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe had been living in a group home in Mesa when she ran away. Her body was found in trash bags in a remote area near Globe weeks later and the search for her killer continues.

“It’s absolutely horrifying what happened to her,” said State Senator Carine Werner. “Just an absolute senseless death that did not need to happen.”

Werner is a Republican state senator from legislative district four. She is also the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee who called for a probe of state group home regulations following news of Pike’s murder.

“We just have to do better for our kids that are in care,” Werner said. “I immediately just knew that we needed to take action to come up with some solutions so that these things stop happening.”

Werner said the hearing will happen sometime later this month, and in preparation for it, she’s met with stakeholders. That includes both DCS and tribal leaders. She hopes the hearing will feature testimony from DCS, law enforcement, tribal representatives, and group home staff. The CEO of the group home where Pike lived told 12News she wants to participate.

Werner said in her research, she’s already identified a problem.

“When you have a child who’s a tribal member and they go into a DCS care, there’s a breakdown in the communication and the sharing of information,” Werner explained.

Information that is often lost in the process includes the child’s background and needs and why they are going to the group home. These are details that can be critical when it comes to establishing appropriate care.

“That would be something that would be very helpful in coming out of this committee that we could put into either legislation or a policy for DCS and the tribes,” Werner said.

DCS has launched its own licensing inquiry into the Mesa group home where Pike lived. However, the problem of minors going missing or running away from DCS care is not isolated to one facility.

Data from the semi-annual child welfare report released last month shows as of December 2024, there were around 8,700 minors or young adults in out-of-home placement through DCS. About 1,300 of them are in group homes.

There were 17 children in DCS care who were missing or abducted. There were 93 children on runaway status and 35 of them ran away from group homes.

Werner and tribal leaders have also called on the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to investigate what happened to Pike and whether the group home took appropriate action.

12News obtained correspondence showing that is happening.

Letters from AG Kris Mayes to both Werner and to the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council state that her office is providing investigative assistance to both Gila County and the FBI as they examine the events leading up to Pike’s murder. The letter also states the office is waiting for DCS to conclude its licensing inquiry into the group home.

“Ensuring that licensed residential facilities meet the highest standards of safety and accountability is essential, and any findings from that review will be carefully considered as we assess potential further action that is needed,” Mayes wrote in her letter to tribal leaders. “Please know that I take these matters extremely seriously and remain committed to working with state, tribal, and federal partners to improve oversight and protections for children in out-of-home care.”

On Thursday, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office told 12News they still have not identified a suspect or person of interest in Pike’s death. They have conducted multiple searches using dogs and other law enforcement agencies. However, part of Pike’s remains are still missing.

A preliminary autopsy conducted by the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office has been completed, but they have not been able to determine Pike’s cause of death.

Investigators have been working on drafting search warrants for all major social media platforms to try to obtain any communication Pike may have had prior to her death.

GCSO said they continue to receive new tips and leads.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe is offering the $75,000 reward.

The GCSO also established an online tip line for members of the public who have information regarding the case. 

When people click on the link, the website will ask for a zip code when you create your account, and any agencies that subscribe to the online portal within a 50-mile radius of the zip code you entered will appear in a drop-down menu.

The agency to select for the Emily Pike case is the San Carlos Apache Police Department. 

You can also download the Tips411 app on the App Store or Google Play.