Residents and advocates tell Birmingham City Council of alleged DHR overreach; legal advocates deliver notice
December 30, 2025 | Birmingham City, Jefferson County, Alabama
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Several members of the public used the council’s public comment period on Dec. 30 to raise serious allegations about Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) practices and to present legal notices seeking to put elected officials on record.
Donna Prince said members of her family were separated when DHR caseworkers removed five grandchildren without court orders and later removed newborns from hospitals. "They removed all 5 of my grandchildren and scattered them all over the state of Alabama," she said during her three-minute comment, and described efforts to retrieve children that involved engaging state and federal offices. The council president responded that DHR actions are state and county matters and are largely outside the jurisdiction of the city council.
Two speakers who identified themselves as civil-rights advocates and litigators — Tanner Wedowney and Jessica Saxon — presented formal notices to the council. Wedowney told the council his notice is "in accordance with U.S. rules of civil procedure" and argued certain Alabama charging practices conflict with federal constitutional protections. Saxon said she was providing an affidavit alleging prima facie evidence of federal crimes related to removal of children and said elected officials have duties under federal law to report felony crimes when made aware of them. "Today, as elected officials, I'm here to remind each and every one of you that you swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States," Saxon said.
Council members listened but did not take formal action in response to the notices during the meeting. The president reiterated that many child-welfare matters are under state or county authority, not the city's. No investigation or directive by the council was recorded in the session.
Next steps: The council did not open any formal inquiry or take a vote in response to the public comments. Complainants were advised that the subject agency falls under county and state jurisdiction.
Donna Prince said members of her family were separated when DHR caseworkers removed five grandchildren without court orders and later removed newborns from hospitals. "They removed all 5 of my grandchildren and scattered them all over the state of Alabama," she said during her three-minute comment, and described efforts to retrieve children that involved engaging state and federal offices. The council president responded that DHR actions are state and county matters and are largely outside the jurisdiction of the city council.
Two speakers who identified themselves as civil-rights advocates and litigators — Tanner Wedowney and Jessica Saxon — presented formal notices to the council. Wedowney told the council his notice is "in accordance with U.S. rules of civil procedure" and argued certain Alabama charging practices conflict with federal constitutional protections. Saxon said she was providing an affidavit alleging prima facie evidence of federal crimes related to removal of children and said elected officials have duties under federal law to report felony crimes when made aware of them. "Today, as elected officials, I'm here to remind each and every one of you that you swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States," Saxon said.
Council members listened but did not take formal action in response to the notices during the meeting. The president reiterated that many child-welfare matters are under state or county authority, not the city's. No investigation or directive by the council was recorded in the session.
Next steps: The council did not open any formal inquiry or take a vote in response to the public comments. Complainants were advised that the subject agency falls under county and state jurisdiction.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
