You didn’t let DHR in. You stood your ground. You knew your rights.
But what they didn’t get at your door, they’ll try to get at your child’s school.
And here’s the part they don’t want you to know: They don’t need your permission to pull your child from class and question them. Most schools cooperate without hesitation, not realizing they’re bypassing your constitutional rights as a parent.
It happens every day in Alabama. A parent says no, and the next day their child is pulled into a side office, away from teachers, friends, and safety—and made to answer questions they don’t understand, without you, without a lawyer, and without warning.
This isn’t protection. It’s manipulation. And it’s how cases get built on shaky, misinterpreted words.
But you can do something about it.
Step 1: Write a School Notification Letter
This is a formal letter that lets your child’s school know:
- DHR or any other agency may not speak with or remove your child without notifying you
- You must be contacted immediately if an agency shows up
- Your child is not to be interviewed alone unless a court order is provided
Step 2: Send the Letter to Key People
- Principal
- School counselor
- Homeroom teacher (if applicable)
- Front office staff
Send it via email (for timestamped proof) and/or certified mail if possible. You can also hand-deliver it and ask them to sign a copy for your records.
Step 3: Talk to Your Child
If your child is old enough, explain the situation calmly. Reassure them and say:
“If anyone tries to talk to you about home, you don’t have to say anything until Mom or Dad is there. You just say, ‘I want my parent.’ That’s it.”
No fear. Just clarity.To:
See The Below Sample Letter:
[School Name]
Re: Notification of Parental Rights and Required Consent
Date: [Insert Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am the legal parent/guardian of [Child’s Full Name], who is currently enrolled in [Grade] at [School Name]. This letter serves as formal notice that no government agency or representative, including but not limited to the Department of Human Resources (DHR), has permission to question, interview, or remove my child from school grounds without my prior knowledge and written consent.
If any such attempt is made, I request to be contacted immediately at [Your Phone Number] and/or [Your Email Address].
Unless accompanied by a valid, signed court order, my child is not to be spoken to alone or removed from school property for any reason. Any violation of this request may result in further legal action.
Thank you for your cooperation in protecting my child’s rights and my rights as their parent.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Signature if hand-delivered]
[Your Contact Information]
Final Thoughts:
You can’t control everything DHR tries to do. But you can put a wall around your child’s school day.
Don’t give them easy access. Don’t let them twist words into evidence.
Take action now.
Print it. Send it. Share it.
Because what they can’t get at your door, they’ll try to steal from a classroom.