Baldwin County attorney Yancey Burnett spoke to the Baldwin County Commission on Thursday, making serious accusations against the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).
Burnett, a minister who has been practicing law for 35 years, said he has identified "perverse incentives" that lead to more children being kept in DHR custody.
The funding is provided by the federal government under Title IV of the Social Security Act. Part D helps States enforce child support obligations. Burnett said the State gets money per child under the program.
"And so that creates a perverse incentive," Burnett said. "In other words, it gives them an incentive to snatch a kid when otherwise you wouldn't."
Just this week, Burnett said he was responsible for returning nine children to their parents after they had gone through the legal process. Burnett has won more than 85% of his cases in Baldwin County. He said that is proof that children are being removed from their homes for invalid reasons.
"How can that be? If DHR is right, my winning percentage should be zero," Burnett said.
A Baldwin County client of Burnett's, Jimmy Fuson, also addressed the commission, saying he has been fighting for his daughter for a year after she was taken from her mother. Fuson claimed he was never given the opportunity to get custody of his daughter from DHR despite his efforts.
He asked the Commission to contact him to hear his story.
Burnett said he appreciates what the commission does and asked members to stay informed about developments on the issue.
The Baldwin County Commission does not receive federal funding for DHR. The county DHR office is managed by the Alabama DHR, not the County Commission.
Alabama DHR has not responded to a media inquiry into the matter. DHR and its employees have not been accused or charged of any criminal matter.
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