Latest news with #ArizonaDepartmentofChildSafety
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a Valley mom is on a mission to prevent future fentanyl overdoses
The Brief April 29 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. One Valley mother is dedicating her time to spreading awareness of the dangers of fentanyl after her daughter died of an overdose in 2021. Josephine Dunn has been fighting to get laws through the state legislature to prevent overdoses like the one her daughter died from. PHOENIX - Josephine Dunn says she is dedicating her life to fighting fentanyl. As the saying goes: one pill can kill. Her hope is that no mother experiences the pain that she still feels today. "The amount of agonizing and excruciating pain that I have suffered since the moment we got that phone call at 1:08 a.m. that she was in the hospital, I cannot put into words," said Dunn. The backstory Ashley Dunn of Prescott was just 26 when she died the day after her son's fifth birthday. "She was the most gentle and genuine, kind, generous. She was most trusting person on earth," said her mother Josephine. In May of 2021, Ashley overdosed on a pill laced with fentanyl. "They had Ashley's dealer in custody within 24 hours. Ashley's murderer is sitting in the Arizona Department of Corrections and serving ten years for what happened to Ashley. Not for manslaughter, not for murder, but because she was a repeat drug offender and drug trafficker," said Dunn. What we know Since her daughter's death, Josephine Dunn has been sharing her daughter's story to save others. "I just want to spread awareness and help other grieving families and stop this poison. That's it. I'm not doing this for money, I'm just doing this to save lives," she said. Last April, Governor Katie Hobbs signed the Ashley Dunn Act into law. It targets fentanyl dealers by increasing sentences for offenders convicted with more than 200 grams of the drug. "This law is doing incredibly well in our state. People are being arrested, they're being convicted, and they're being sentenced to prison," she said. She's also an advocate for the "Sale of Lethal Fentanyl" state law, which makes it a class 2 felony to knowingly sell fentanyl that causes another person's death. Just this week, Cruzita Leon became the first person indicted under this new law. She's accused of selling fentanyl to 49-year-old Todd Gordon, who then died of an overdose back in November. "I am all about that law. I support that law wholeheartedly," said Dunn. "I want every single law, as many laws that can be on the books for this, this poison that there can be, because without tools, law enforcement cannot do their job." What's next In Josephine's latest efforts, she has started a foundation in honor of her late daughter called the Ashley Dunn Foundation. The Arizona Department of Child Safety is working to increase fentanyl awareness as well, calling overdoses one of Arizona's most urgent public health emergencies. They have resources to connect parents to support and resources.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Glendale police launch criminal investigation into Buckeye city manager
Glendale police are conducting a criminal investigation involving former Buckeye City Manager Dan Cotterman, a spokesperson for Buckeye announced Tuesday. Cotterman officially resigned as the city's top executive on Tuesday, Annie DeChance, a spokesperson for the city, wrote in a news release. DeChance wrote that the city is cooperating with Glendale police and "committed to transparency" throughout the investigation process. The Arizona Department of Child Safety contacted Buckeye Police Department about allegations against Cotterman on March 18, the news release stated. Buckeye police requested that the Glendale Police Department assume the case "to conduct an independent investigation and ensure a fair and impartial outcome," DeChance wrote in the release. The investigation is ongoing, she wrote. Cotterman has not been arrested or charged with a crime, according to the city's news release. Cotterman was initially put on paid administrative leave on March 21 pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. At the time, the city stated the issue was a "personnel matter" and that his leave "would not exceed 60 days." Cotterman was hired as Buckeye's city manager in 2022 after the previous top executive retired. He previously worked for nine years in Goodyear City Hall, first as an information technology director and then as a deputy city manager. On March 21, the City Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss appointing an interim city manager and to place Cotterman on paid leave. The council voted to appoint Deputy City Manager Dave Roderique to the position. Roderique has worked for the city since 2017, according to the release on March 21. He previously worked as the city's economic development director from 2017 to 2022. 'The entire City Council is confident Mr. Roderique can continue leading the city during this interim time to ensure we stay on track with our strategic planning and sustainable growth initiatives,' Buckeye Mayor Eric Orsborn said in the city's release. Buckeye is an economically booming, water-strapped city southwest of Phoenix. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in the country with no signs of slowing down. Like this story? Get more West Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weekly West Valley Newsletter, which comes out on Tuesdays. Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about criminal investigation into Buckeye city manager
