Ryan Nalls was removed from her parents as an infant. Nearly two years later, there is still no final reunification ruling.

She is now with family — but still not home.

Ryan was removed at approximately 8 months old. She spent nearly two years in foster care without a final decision.

Ryan has now been placed with her grandmother as of November 27, 2025 — but she has still not been returned home.

Ryan has spent some of the most important years of early childhood separated from her parents.

The facts are simple and serious:

No abuse finding
No criminal conviction
Three other children remain safely in the home
No child should spend years in legal limbo while the system delays a final decision.

 

Serious Due Process Concerns

Based on the documented case history:

No shelter care hearing was conducted within the expected timeframe after removal
No adjudicatory hearing has resulted in a final determination
No formal dependency finding has been entered
These circumstances raise serious concerns about whether required due process protections were followed.

These are not technicalities — they are the legal safeguards required before a child can be separated from their parents for an extended period.

 

This Is About Due Process — Not Special Treatment

This petition is based on documented case history, court proceedings, and agency actions.

We are asking for:

Timely decisions
Transparency
Accountability
We are not asking the system to ignore child safety.

We are asking the system to follow the law.

 

What Went Wrong

The government can intervene to protect a child — but it must follow due process.

That means:

Evidence-based decisions
Clear requirements
Timely court rulings
In Ryan’s case:

No final reunification ruling for nearly two years
Delayed placement with a qualified grandmother
No clear resolution even now
Delay is not neutral — delay is harm.

 

Why This Matters

Every day without a final decision is time a child cannot get back.

This issue goes beyond one case.

Families across the country report:

Long delays without resolution
Lack of transparency
Changing or unclear requirements
Barriers to placing children with relatives
When due process is delayed, it is denied.

 

What Should Have Happened

Ryan’s case should have included:

A timely court decision after removal
Early review for placement with family
Clear, written reunification requirements
A final ruling within a reasonable timeframe

 

The Solution — Ryan’s Law

Ryan’s Law is designed to prevent families from being trapped in child welfare cases without enforceable deadlines, transparency, and accountability.

Ryan’s Law would require:

Deadlines so children are not left in limbo
Written reunification plans parents can understand
Early family-placement review for qualified relatives
Written reasons when family placement is denied
Accountability for GALs and agencies
Protection against coercive conditions
Clear court responsibility so cases cannot be delayed by county confusion

 

What We Are Asking For

We are calling for:

A final court ruling in Ryan’s case
Full transparency in the process
Passage of Ryan’s Law to protect other families

 

The Bottom Line

A system that can remove a child — but cannot complete the legal process — must be fixed.

 

Call to Action

Ryan has waited long enough.

No child should spend years without a final decision.

 Sign this petition to support Ryan’s Law, demand a final decision in Ryan’s case, and help ensure no family is left in legal limbo.

 

Share This

If you believe families deserve fair process, timely decisions, and accountability, please share this petition and help bring real reform.