Rep. Joshua Penner formally requests information from DCYF following child abandonment case

Rep. Joshua Penner, R-Orting, alarmed by a recent investigative report involving a 9-year-old child allegedly abandoned in a tent along Seattle’s Aurora Avenue corridor, rallied 23 House Republican colleagues in formally requesting information from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

According to the report, DCYF determined the child was “not in danger,” a conclusion that has raised serious questions about how the state defines and assesses child safety — particularly in high-risk environments involving substance abuse, unsafe housing, and violent crime.

In a letter to DCYF Secretary Tana Senn, the lawmakers requested detailed clarification on the Department’s interpretation and implementation of House Bill 1227 (the Keeping Families Together Act, passed in 2021) and Senate Bill 6109 (passed in 2024), both of which affect child-welfare intervention standards.

The request also cites DCYF’s own data showing Washington is on pace to exceed last year’s number of critical child-welfare incidents, including fatalities and near-fatalities, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in how child-safety laws are applied.

Penner said the requested information will inform legislative oversight and potential policy changes during the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12.