Multiple residents and advocates addressed the commission during public comment to raise allegations about child removals by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR), claiming due‑process violations and urging legislative or administrative remedies.

James Fuson said his daughter was taken into custody by Baldwin County DHR on Aug. 20, 2024; he said he was not given an opportunity to place the child with relatives before the 72‑hour hearing and described the removal as a due‑process violation. An attorney who said he represents many parents urged commissioners to consider how federal Title IV funding formulas create incentives that can lead to unnecessary removals; he said his office recently secured the return of several children to parents.

Melissa Herr, a family advocate, asked commissioners to press law‑enforcement partners to ensure proper procedure and to encourage enforcement of state statutes she said protect parental rights, citing House Bill 6 (2023) as legislation she believes strengthens parental rights in removal cases. Jessica Saxton, identified in the record as a civil‑rights advocate and litigator, delivered a legal notice to the commission referencing federal civil‑procedure rules and claiming the commission had been placed on notice of alleged constitutional deprivations; she urged the commission to take lawful action and report alleged crimes to federal law enforcement.

Several parents described long fights to regain custody and said children remain in foster or adoptive placements. Speakers asked the commission to intervene or to press state legislators and agencies to enforce statutes the speakers cited.

Commissioners expressed sympathy and said they care about families’ concerns but repeatedly noted that county commissioners are subject to Alabama law and Dillon’s rule; they said the most direct route for change is to engage state legislators and state agencies because county authority over DHR and courts is limited. Commissioners recommended constituents contact their state representatives and described past efforts to present legislative proposals.

No formal county action was taken at the meeting in response to the public comments.