Another child has died in Washington State under tragic, and what many say were preventable, circumstances. The death has renewed fierce criticism of the state’s controversial “Keeping Families Together Act,” with Republican lawmakers like Rep. Travis Couture of the 35th Legislative District calling it a dangerous failure that continues to put children’s lives at risk.
Appearing on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Rep. Couture did not hold back.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Couture said. “We’re talking about babies and toddlers—this latest case was a five-year-old. And it was totally preventable. But the law is stopping us from removing kids from homes with drugs and real danger.”
Couture and others—including judges, law enforcement, and social workers—have dubbed the policy the “Dead Baby Bill,” a stark and emotional indictment of the legislation’s unintended consequences.
The Keeping Families Together Act was designed to reduce the removal of children from their homes, with the intention of addressing racial disparities in the foster care system. But Couture says the result has been a 200% increase in avoidable child deaths.
“If a parent is using fentanyl, they’ve lost the ability to care for themselves, let alone a child,” Couture explained. “These kids are living in squalor, in deadly environments, and we can’t do anything about it.”
Couture has proposed legislation—House Bill 1092—that he says would allow the state to remove children immediately from homes where hard drugs are present, provide safer placements such as foster care, and offer treatment options for the parents.
But those bills have repeatedly been blocked.
“Democrat leadership in the House keeps killing any bill that has to do with fentanyl or protecting kids,” Couture told Hoffman. “They think it’s an equity issue. But now, we’re seeing a disproportionate number of minority children dying in those homes.”
Couture referenced high-profile and tragic cases such as Oakley Carlson, a young girl who went missing after being returned to her drug-abusing parents, and Ariel Garcia, a child fatally stabbed by his mother, who was under the influence of hard drugs.
“We could’ve prevented this,” said Couture. “It makes me sick. But I’m still hopeful. I’m not going to stop fighting to save these kids.”
Hoffman asked Couture how reform efforts can survive beyond a single legislative session, especially when media coverage is limited and political priorities shift.
Couture emphasized the need to keep the pressure on lawmakers, especially moderate Democrats who might be persuaded by their constituents.
“Some Democrats are coming around,” he noted. “Every year, I pick up a few more. But we need people—judges, foster parents, law enforcement—speaking out. They need to hear it from someone besides me or you on the radio.”
He cited devastating statistics: nearly 3,600 drug-related deaths in Washington last year alone.
“That’s more than a 9/11 every year in this state,” Couture said. “And this session? Nothing was done. Not one meaningful action against fentanyl. It’s disgraceful.”
Couture says that at the core of his legislative efforts is not only child safety but the belief in redemption—for both kids and their parents.
“We can save the life of a child and also save the life of the parent,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean keeping families together at all costs. Not when it costs a child their life.”
As the state prepares for its next legislative session, Couture vows to continue fighting to repeal or reform the Keeping Families Together Act—and he hopes more lawmakers, and members of the public, will join him before more lives are lost.
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