At the Jan. 13 board meeting multiple members of the public used the allotted comment time to allege systemic problems in San Bernardino County's child-welfare system and to request board oversight.

Leticia Howard told the board her children were removed despite documented disabilities and federally required accommodations under the ADA, IDEA and Section 504; she said required in-home services and visitation supports were not provided, that court hearings were delayed and evidence she described as favorable to reunification was ignored. Howard urged immediate reviews and called the board's silence complicity.

Andrea Myers said social workers demanded entry to her home without a warrant or exigent circumstances and alleged DCFS violated court orders and discovery obligations, halted ordered visitation assessments and refused to permit breast milk for an infant despite a court order. Myers also alleged that children in custody were physically harmed while in state care.

Other speakers echoed themes of wrongful removals, delays in court discovery, failure to provide accommodations, and fear of retaliation for parents who speak out. Karen Reich framed the issue as forced adoption that disproportionately affects poor families and minorities and called for transparency and family-preserving approaches rather than punitive action.

Speakers made specific requests to the board, including immediate case reviews, enforcement of court-ordered visitation and medical provisions, and stronger oversight of the Department of Children and Family Services. Several speakers said they had submitted documentation to the board and asked for accountability.

Board members did not provide an extended response during public comment; the meeting record does not show a follow-up action assigned during the Jan. 13 session. No county staff response or rebuttal was recorded on the public record during the comment period.