First of all, I want to say please do not donate until I find out where and for what that money goes to. 

For the second time in 2 years, Tristan, a 14 year old non-verbal Autistic child, was removed from his mother's home by the Department of Human Resources (DHR) because of exposure to Methamphetamine.  The most recent incident, he, along with his 17 year old brother and 3 Week old sister, tested positive for methamphetamine exposure according to DHR hair follicle test.  

Upon inquiry to Tristan's DHR worker as to charging the mother with Chemical Endangerment to a Child, I was told that she had turned the criminal part of the case over to the special investigative unit of the Houston County, AL DHR and that a separate worker would pursue the case.  Numerous unreturned calls and messages to the DHR Investigator and a report that the mother and her boyfriend were picked up after testimony of the 17 year old prompted me to find the Dothan City Police Investigator, who told me that no charges were filed because they did not get to test the children in a timely manner themselves.  According to the Dothan City Police Investigator, the hair follicle test obtained by the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources is not admissible in Houston County Court.  The Police Department must conduct a blood sample and submit it to their forensic lab, however, in the case of methamphetamine exposure, this must be done with 3-5 days as the drug leaves the body.  The incident happened on October 29, 2021 and the report was not given to the Dothan City Investigator until November 29, 2021.

I confirmed with Houston County District Attorney, Pat Jones, that protocol was not followed and that, in fact, it is true that the State's hair follicle tests are not admissible in Houston County Courts.  We spoke at length over several days to find a solution, but were unable to come up with anything except having the 17 year old, who testified to the DHR investigator, subpoenaed to  give testimony.  Again, a disconnect between the Department of Human Resources and the Judicial System.

Where is the disconnect between the State of Alabama and Houston County?  DHR and Law Enforcement need to be trained.  Also, how can the State use evidence to remove a child from its home, but the same evidence not be used to prosecute the parent?  Meanwhile, we family members are caring for the children who were removed while the parent(s) have a little vacation time to do more drugs.  

Change should be made to protect the innocent children being exposed to chemical drugs and removed from what they know as home, over and over (this is our 4th time) with no consequences to the perpetrator.  

Alabama Department of Human Resources should be trained in proper protocol to protect these children by ensuring that the perpetrators are prosecuted.

Houston County and Dothan City, AL, law enforcement should be trained in proper protocol to protect these children by ensuring that the perpetrators are prosecuted.  

Both agencies should be responsible for following protocol.