Lockboxes: A controversial solution to child safety in Washington homes with addiction issues

After the passage of a state law aimed at making it harder to take children away from their families, Washington state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has implemented a controversial safety measure: The organization provides lockboxes to families struggling with drug use.

Many child welfare advocates say these containers aren’t doing enough to protect children.

Danielle Steele of North Bend has spent the last 10 years gathering evidence, trying to prove to the state she should get custody of her two nieces and nephew. She said records of fractured bones, burns, and long stretches of missed school days show the kids are in danger.

“It's a pattern of neglect,” said Steele who has collected hundreds of pages of documents relating to the kids. “There’s so much evidence in here and the fact that, no, they weren't helped.”