The tragic loss of 11-year-old Chaska Davis has brought renewed attention to critical gaps in Arizona’s child welfare system.
KPNX Channel 12 investigative reporter Bianca Bono spoke with G&K attorney Matt Boatman, who now represents Chaska’s surviving younger brother in a $60 million notice of claim against the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).
According to the claim, both children were living with their grandmother, Stephanie Davis, and her boyfriend, Thomas Desharnais, neither of whom had legal custody. Despite repeated warnings—including reports from two different schools within months and two additional reports from a hotel employee—DCS allegedly deemed all allegations “unsubstantiated” and took no protective action.
This tragedy was preventable. If the warning signs had been connected and acted upon, Chaska’s death and much of his brother’s suffering could have been avoided. It is time for meaningful child welfare reform.
Matt Boatman, attorney for the surviving younger brother
The surviving child now suffers from cognitive delays and life-altering physical and emotional injuries. The notice of claim seeks accountability from DCS and aims to prompt systemic changes to protect vulnerable children.
Our firm remains committed to seeking justice for Chaska Davis and his surviving younger brother and to driving stronger oversight, improved response protocols, and meaningful reform within Arizona’s child welfare system—ensuring that no other child suffers the abuse, neglect, and preventable loss that has forever changed this family’s life.
about our attorney
Matt Boatman is a distinguished legal practitioner specializing in complex and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. With a dedicated focus on cases arising from motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and negligence, defective products, unsafe premises, and insurance coverage disputes, Matt brings a wealth of expertise and advocacy to his clients’ needs.
related news coverage
- 08/18/2025, Chaskah Davis was tortured. How could Arizona DCS say there's nothing to see? | Opinion | Arizona Republic
- 08/16/2025, Brother of slain child files $60 million claim against Arizona, DCS | Arizona Republic
- 08/13/2025, Notice of claim filed over 2022 death of child at Scottsdale extended-stay hotel | ABC15.com
- 09/11/2024, Reports detail gruesome discovery of Scottsdale boy abused to death | Azfamily.com 3TV
- 07/22/2022, Mother of boy allegedly killed by grandmother at Scottsdale hotel plans to sue DCS | Azfamily.com 3TV
- 07/22/2022, 'Years of medieval torture': Mom takes action against the Department of Child Safety after Scottsdale hotel death | 12news.com
- 06/21/2022, Scottsdale grandmother, husband accused of killing 11-year-old grandson could face death penalty | Arizona Republic
- 02/16/2022, Couple pleads not guilty to charges of abusing, killing 11-year-old grandson in Scottsdale | Arizona Republic
- 02/16/2022, Scottsdale grandmother accused of killing grandson has out of state warrant | Azfamily.com 3TV
- 02/02/2022, Police: Boy who died at Scottsdale hotel endured ‘horrific’ abuse by grandmother | Azfamily.com 3TV
- 02/01/2022, Boy who died in Scottsdale was severely abused by relatives, court records say | Arizona Republic
- 02/01/2022, Police documents detail death of child at Scottsdale extended-stay hotel | ABC15.com
- 01/31/2022, Grandmother, man arrested after 11-year-old died at Scottsdale hotel | ABC15.com
- 01/31/2022, Grandmother, husband arrested after 11-year-old boy found injured in Scottsdale dies | Arizona Republic
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