Alexander M. v. Hon. abrams/ades

Justice BRUTINEL,

opinion of the Court.

¶ 1 We are asked to decide whether a juvenile court can delegate discretion to the Arizona Department of Economic Security (“ADES”) to determine when it serves a dependent child’s best interests to be returned to the child’s parent or guardian. We conclude that the juvenile court may not delegate its responsibility to independently determine whether reunification is in the child’s best interests.

I. BACKGROUND

¶ 2 In June 2012, the juvenile court adjudicated Alexander M., Dominic M., Daniel M., Nathanial M., and Savannah M. (the “Children”) dependent as to…