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Oklahoma DHS resignation not related to Clayton Woolley case, says governor

After several days of silence about the situation, the office of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt on Thursday addressed the ongoing drama surrounding the abrupt resignation of Dr. Deborah Shropshire as acting director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

In an email to The Oklahoman, Stitt's spokeswoman Abegail Cave wrote that Shropshire's resignation “is in no way related to the Woolley case or any other case pending before DHS.”

“The Governor is grateful for Dr. Shropshire's service and knows she will bring that expertise to her next endeavor,” Cave wrote. “He looks forward to taking a fresh look at DHS and working to build on the success we have seen in providing disability services to those who need them, working to keep children safe, and ensuring the Oklahoma Standard is fully embraced throughout our state.”

The governor said Thursday: “Shropshire has been a tireless champion for Oklahoma families during her 10-year career at the Department of Human Services.”

“Dr. Shropshire wants government to work better for the people – and she has done just that. During her tenure, Oklahomans benefited from simplified and modernized programs and we became a national leader in services for people with developmental disabilities,” said an email from the governor's office. “I am grateful for Dr. Shropshire's leadership and wish her well in her next chapter.”

However, Cave gave no explanation as to why Shropshire had resigned.

Who is Clayton Woolley? What you should know about the press conference with Governor Stitt's father

On Monday, just days after the governor's father and supporter of 12-year-old Clayton Woolley held a press conference in Tulsa to criticize the agency, Stitt called Shropshire for a meeting.

The protest in Tulsa was attended by Woolley's family and friends, the Reverend John Stitt – the governor's father – and two state legislators. The gathering culminated in calls by the elder Stitt to reform the DHS and separate Woolley from the family with whom he currently lives.

On Tuesday, Shropshire abruptly resigned from her post. She remained silent about the reasons for her departure. Shropshire's announcement surprised many state and DHS officials. In a brief resignation letter, she gave no indication of the reasons for her departure, but instead praised the agency.

“I am writing this letter to inform you that I am resigning from my position as Agency Director Oklahoma Human Services, effective September 12, 2024,” Shropshire wrote. “It has been an incredible honor to serve in this role. I fell in love with the Oklahoma Human Services team more than two decades ago and it has been my great pleasure to lead them over the past few years.”

In January 2023, Stitt praised Shropshire, calling her “an honest Oklahoman with a heart for servant leadership and a proven track record of success at Oklahoma Human Services.”

Shropshire previously served as the agency's director of child protective services. When she was appointed to the post on Jan. 10, 2023, she became the first woman in state history to serve as DHS director. Shropshire will leave her post on Sept. 13.

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