Arizona Group Home Provider Avoids Penalties After Boy's Death Amidst Political Scrutiny
Sunshine Residential Homes, Arizona's largest group home provider, has not faced penalties following the 2022 death of 9-year-old Jakob Blodgett, who died from complications of Type 1 diabetes after missing insulin doses. An employee had texted a supervisor about Blodgett's elevated blood-glucose reading, receiving instructions to give him water but no guidance on insulin. The Arizona Department of Child Safety issued a licensing violation against Sunshine Residential Homes two weeks before approving a 30% rate increase for the company in May 2023. The state did not fine the company or suspend its license. This situation has become a focal point in the reelection campaign of Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, with Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs making it a central issue. Records indicate that Sunshine Residential Homes made $550,000 in political contributions, including $100,000 to Hobbs' inaugural fund and $150,000 to her legal defense fund. While the Arizona Attorney General found no evidence o... 
