Families describe traumatic removals and systemic failures as USCCR advisory committee hears North Carolina testimony

Chair Olga Morgan Wright convened the North Carolina Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on Aug. 23 for a public briefing focused on the state’s child‑welfare system and the implementation of Ryland’s Law. Five panelists and several public commenters described family separations, alleged procedural errors, and what they said were racially disparate practices in North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and county social‑services operations.

James LaVar Campbell, who identified himself as an impacted parent from Cabarrus County, told the committee that on Aug. 7, 2023, social‑services staff removed several of his children and that his family has since been traumatized. “The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is the new slave master, trading children for profit,” Campbell said, urging the committee to help reunite his children and to hold officials accountable. He said he was escorted out of a county commission meeting after naming county employees and described transferring his case between counties.

Kenisha Irwin (testifying as Kenisha) said she pursued civil claims for alleged medical malpractice and then faced CPS involvement that she characterized as retaliatory. “The court terminated my parental rights in 2022 based on CPS false claims,” Irwin said, adding that time limits on appeals under Ryland’s Law prevented her from effectively challenging the termination. She asked the committee to investigate what she called systemic failures that left families without a fair opportunity to present evidence.

Antoinette Hawes described allegations that one of her sons was raped and beaten while in a therapeutic foster home and recounted what she said were inconsistent criminal investigations and difficulties obtaining timely oversight. She said her son later left foster care and returned home but that efforts to unseal adoption or placement records have been blocked or delayed.

Marcela Middleton, who said she aged out of foster care at 21, described repeated placements and argued that certain Ryland’s Law provisions—especially supports for youth aged 18–21 and measures to improve oversight—can be helpful if implemented with stronger family‑centered practices. Middleton urged expanded youth supports and more family‑focused, well‑trained social workers.

Yolanda Rushing recounted an eight‑month CPS investigation after she reported alleged improper touching of her child and said an ex parte removal left her family scrambling for due process. Rushing alleged conflicts of interest in her case and said scheduled hearings were short, continuances frequent, and opportunities to assemble evidence limited.

Committee members used the question‑and‑answer period to probe common themes in the testimony: delays in appeals and investigations, alleged close working relationships among judges, appointed counsel and agency staff, possible financial incentives tied to foster placements, and racial disparities. Marcus Gatson, Daniel Bose and other members asked panelists whether the harms described were the result of individual bias or systemic design; panelists generally described both individual misconduct and systemwide incentives that, they said, disproportionately affect Black, Native American and low‑income families.

Public commenters reiterated similar concerns. Angela Burton, an attorney who has worked with the New York USCCR committee, urged the North Carolina committee to consider prior state‑level findings and the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act’s history in shaping child‑welfare priorities. Foster caregiver Martha Grise Haney said she was blocked from collecting a grandchild and asked the committee to “follow the money” to trace funding incentives that could affect placement decisions. Amanda Wallace and Christina Laster of the National Action Network characterized the system as producing racialized outcomes and urged structural change.

The committee did not take enforcement action; USCCR is an advisory body that prepares reports and recommendations for the commission. At the business meeting following testimony, staff reported outreach to prospective panelists, including Judge Ashley Parker (Wake County) and representatives of foster‑reform organizations. The committee voted to hold a fifth briefing on Sept. 27, 2024, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. and approved outreach to the two named panelists; Representative Loftus indicated willingness to participate and was added to the panel roster. Chair Wright noted written testimony will continue to be accepted through Sept. 23 via the committee’s staff email.

What happened next: the advisory committee will use the additional briefing and written submissions to inform a report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which may include findings and recommendations about oversight, appeals processes under Ryland’s Law, investigation timeliness, foster‑placement incentives and racial disparities. The committee emphasized that it is not an enforcement agency and that families may pursue legal remedies through state or federal courts or through law‑enforcement channels where appropriate.

The committee adjourned at 3:30 p.m.