Pima County Mother Charged With Burning Adopted Child, DCS Failed

Samantha Osteraas

On Thursday, December 29, 2016, just after 8:00 p.m., Pima County deputies responded to the residence of Samantha Osteraas, in the 2900 block of West Sun Ranch Trail for a report of a rescue follow-up. When deputies arrived, they learned a 5-year-old girl had sustained significant burns as a result of hot water from a bath tub. The young girl was immediately transported to the hospital.

Crimes Against Children detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. After collecting evidence and investigating the incident, it was determined the burns sustained by the child were not due to an accident. The case was presented to the Pima County Attorney’s Office and an arrest warrant was issued for Osteraas. Osteraas, age 28, is the child’s adoptive mother.

On Thursday, January 5, 2017, Detectives located and arrested Ms. Osteraas. She has been booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Complex for two counts of Child Abuse. The child remains in the hospital and is in critical condition. The Arizona Department of Child Safety is involved in this case, and has removed three other children from the home. This investigation is ongoing.

According to sources, this incident is another example of the failings by Arizona Department of Child Safety.

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