Systemic Failures Led to Tragic Death of San Carlos Apache Teen Emily Pike

Strategic Insights -

Emily Pike, a 14-year-old San Carlos Apache teenager, was murdered in February, and her family and law enforcement officials have expressed frustration with the failures of the tribal, county, and state systems in keeping her safe and responding to her disappearance. Emily's mother, Stephanie Dosela, found out about her daughter's death on social media, highlighting the poor communication and inadequate responses of the individual systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • Emily was sent to a group home in Mesa after her family reported her missing in 2023, following a sexual assault allegation, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
  • The San Carlos Apache Police Department responded to the sexual assault report with the fish and game department instead of a trained officer, citing the department's limited staff and resources.
  • Emily's family members and advocates have criticized the handling of her case, including the decision to take her into custody and send her to a group home, which they believe led to her running away and ultimately her death.
  • Emily's mother has stated that she suffered from culture shock when she was taken from her rural home near the town of Peridot to a group home in Mesa, over 100 miles away from her home.
  • The Arizona Department of Child Safety has acknowledged that they didn't have access to the necessary information to contact Emily's family and friends when she went missing, due to tribal sovereignty.
  • Speakers have recommended that every child who goes missing from a group home be immediately considered missing instead of labeled as a "runaway," and that better sharing of background information about children in their custody be implemented between tribal social services and group homes.
  • Emily's family has called for an investigation into group home licensing and the handling of her sexual assault report.

Statistics:

  • Emily was 18 days missing before her body was found near Globe, outside of her reservation.
  • Emily had attempted suicide and run away multiple times while living in the group home.
  • The San Carlos Apache Police Department has 22 officers to cover 1.8 million acres of reservation land.
  • Emily's family reported her missing in 2023 after a sexual assault allegation, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence.
  • Emily was in the custody of the San Carlos Apache tribe and was sent to a group home in Mesa, which was not in the custody of the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

Sources:

  • The article does not provide a specific date or author.
  • The Arizona Mirror:

* (https://azmirror.com/2025/03/07/say-her-name-hundreds-gather-to-honor-native-teen-emily-pike-demanding-justice-for-her-death/)

* (https://azmirror.com/subscribe)

* (https://azmirror.com/briefs/san-carlos-apache-tribe-demands-investigation-into-group-homes-after-emily-pikes-murder/)

* (https://azmirror.com/donate/?oa_referrer=midstorybox)

* (https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/05/01/emily-pike-sexual-assault-case-has-law-enforcement-clashing/83334435007/)