Sunshine Residential Homes faces political scrutiny in Arizona

Sunshine Residential Homes, Arizona’s largest group home provider, is at the center of a political controversy involving allegations of pay-to-play influence and a lack of accountability following the 2022 death of 9-year-old Jakob Blodgett.

Blodgett died from complications of Type 1 diabetes after staff failed to provide necessary insulin doses. Despite the circumstances, no penalties were imposed on the provider. The controversy has intensified as records indicate that Sunshine Residential Homes made political donations beneficial to Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, followed months later by a state-approved rate increase for the company.

While the Arizona attorney general found no evidence of bribery, Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs has utilized the scandal in his campaign against Hobbs. Hobbs has stated that the rate increase was a departmental decision made in the best interest of the children in care. The state auditor general’s office is currently conducting a separate investigation into the matter.