After several days of silence about the situation, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt's office addressed Thursday the ongoing drama surrounding the abrupt resignation of Dr. Deborah Shropshire as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
In an email to The Oklahoman, Stitt's spokesperson Abegail Cave wrote that Shropshire's resignation "is not at all related to the Woolley case or any other case pending at DHS."
"The Governor is thankful for Dr. Shropshire’s service and knows she’ll bring that expertise to her next endeavor," Cave wrote. "He is looking forward to getting a fresh set of eyes at DHS and working to build on the success we’ve seen in getting disability services to those who need it, working to keep kids safe, and ensuring the Oklahoma Standard is on full display across our state."
The governor on Thursday said, "Shropshire has been a relentless fighter for Oklahoma families throughout her decade long career at Human Services."
"Dr. Shropshire wants government to work better for the people — and she delivered. During her tenure, Oklahomans benefited from simplified and modernized programs, and we’ve become a national leader in providing developmental disability services," an email from the governor's office said. "I’m grateful for Dr. Shropshire’s leadership and I wish her best in her next chapter.”
Cave, however, offered no explanation for why Shropshire resigned.
Who is Clayton Woolley? What to know about press conference involving Gov. Stitt's father
On Monday, just days after the governor's father and supporters of 12-year-old Clayton Woolley held a news conference in Tulsa to criticize the agency, Stitt called Shropshire into a meeting.
The Tulsa protest included the family and friends of Woolley, the Rev. John Stitt — the governor's father — and two state lawmakers. The gathering was highlighted by calls by the elder Stitt to reform DHS and remove Woolley from the family he is currently living with.
On Tuesday, Shropshire abruptly resigned her post . She has remained silent about the reasons surrounding her departure. Shropshire's announcement caught many state and DHS officials off guard. In a brief resignation letter, she gave no indication of why she was leaving but, instead, praised the agency.
"I'm writing this letter to let you know that I'm resigning from my position as Agency Director Oklahoma Human Services effective 9/12/2024," Shropshire wrote. "It has been an incredible honor to serve in this capacity. I fell in love with the team at Oklahoma Human Services more than two decades ago, and having the opportunity to lead them over the last couple of years has been a great pleasure."
In January 2023, Stitt praised Shropshire, calling her "a stand up Oklahoman with a heart for servant leadership and a proven track record of success at Oklahoma Human Services."
Shropshire previously had served as the agency's director of Child Welfare Services. She was the first woman in state history to serve as DHS director when appointed to the post on Jan. 10, 2023. Shropshire will leave her post on Sept. 13.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: DHS director's resignation not tied to Woolley state custody case, governor's office says
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