Failed Democrat policy blamed for death of four-year-old boy in the name of 'Keeping Families Together'

Washington State’s Keeping Families Together Act is being blamed for the murder of a four-year-old Washington boy.

The act, synonymous with House Bill 1227, was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee in May of 2021 according to the bill summary. And with a goal of “protecting the rights of families responding to allegations of abuse or neglect of a child,” the act is yet another example of Washington State democrat failed policy.

Ariel Garcia, a four-year-old boy, was reported missing from Everett, Washington on March 27 by his grandmother. Just two days prior, the grandmother had petitioned the court for guardianship of Ariel, citing safety concerns due to his mother’s drug use.

In an affidavit, the grandmother stated, “While she is on drugs, she is not capable of parenting. Her want for drugs and alcohol makes her leave for days at a time without notice. Luckily, since they live with me, I can step in when this happens. Her behavior has become very violent and unpredictable.

“I love my grandson, and I want to protect him from whatever his mom is capable of while she is on drugs. He trusts me and feels safe with me. Since I have cared for Ariel all these years, I am already aware of his needs."

According to The Post Millennial, the grandmother also reported that the mother, Janet Garcia, “had taken the four-year-old to a bar to drink within the last few days and would regularly leave the boy with his brother without supervision.”

Ariel’s body was found in Pierce County, Washington alongside Interstate-5, where police say that Janet Garcia dumped him before driving into Clark County, Washington to check into an alcohol rehabilitation program. Upon check-in, it was noted that Janet Garcia had blood on her shirt and shoes.

MSN reported that Janet was arrested March 29 in Everett on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree assault of a child. Janet appeared before a Snohomish County judge on April 1. Court documents state that Ariel was stabbed “up to 41 times” in the vicious attack.

Section 2.2 of the Keeping Families Together Act states, “for these reasons, it is the intent of the legislature to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and reduce racial bias in the system by applying a standard criteria for determining whether to remove a child from a parent when necessary to prevent imminent physical harm to the child due to child abuse or neglect.”

It appears that the act has been effective at reducing the number of children in foster care.

According to DCYF, they have “seen a 30% reduction in the number of children coming into care between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. The agency also says that they have seen an increase in participation in Voluntary Family Services from parents.

This is where the “benefits” of this legislation stop. And Ariel Garcia is not the only child that has been impacted by the State of Washington wanting to save money and space in the foster care system.

Earlier this year, a three-week-old baby was found dead in Port Townsend, Washington. Court documents state that the mother of that baby tested positive for fentanyl and that the baby was born with the drug in his system.

To make that situation worse, DCYF had previously given temporary custody of the infant to the father, who had a “lengthy criminal history.” At first, the father, Jordan Sorensen, passed a drug test to obtain custody. After failing to comply with future drug tests, he and the infant disappeared.

Sorensen was later charged with kidnapping, concealing a body, and disposing of a body.

This goes beyond the ever-failing democratic drug policies in Washington State, although it is a sad result of them as well. Blind eyes are being turned on children in danger in the name of keeping families together. Not every parent is meant to be a parent. Their choices and actions have consequences. And children should be the last ones suffering at their hands.

Ariel Garcia’s blood and that of the infant killed, are on the hands of Washington State Democrats and their poorly thought out legislation like this one that ultimately endangers children and handcuffs those that desire to help protect them.