In this episode of Make It Make Sense, Alabama, we continue our look at Alabama's child welfare system by speaking with Baldwin County mother Lindsey Barrios, who shares her experience navigating DHR, family court, and a custody battle that has now stretched on for years.

Lindsey walks us through the timeline leading up to the removal of her children, including two separate custody disputes, allegations that she says she wasn't informed of until months later, and evidence she believes should have changed the course of her case.

We also talk about broader questions surrounding due process in Alabama dependency proceedings, the role of mandatory reporting, proposed legislation that sought to expand parents' rights, and why many families say they struggle to receive meaningful explanations once DHR becomes involved.

As with every episode in this series, the statements made by Lindsey Barrios reflect her personal account and allegations regarding her case.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:05 Meet Lindsey Barrios
03:20 Two Custody Battles Collide
08:10 The Journal That Raised Questions
12:05 DHR Arrives to Remove the Children
14:40 The 72-Hour Hearing
17:30 Learning the Allegations Months Later
20:05 A Five-Year Court Battle
22:00 Due Process and Alabama Law
26:00 HB 464 and Parents' Rights
30:20 Lindsey's Message to Lawmakers
31:00 Closing