Sheila Alvarez grew up fighting for her rights. She still does.
For two years, Alvarez has fought North Platte’s social services system. She still is.
Growing up in a troubled home, she learned at an early age how to stand up for herself. In her latest fight, she had extra motivation. Alvarez is fighting for her kids.
Her battle has lasted for years, finally turning a corner in October, when U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard rejected a lawsuit that she filed herself against a caseworker with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Alvarez told the court that the caseworker jeopardized her children, instead of protecting them, took away her parental rights, and gave her no way to appeal.
But the judge rejected her legal claim on a practical point – the caseworker no longer works for the DHHS and no longer has any influence on DHSS practices.
Despite the decision, Alvarez, a single mom, achieved some successes in her two year struggle. She convinced the authorities that she was not using drugs and that she was fit to raise her children. She shed light on the unreliability of sweat patches in drug testing.
In accomplishing that, she acted as her own attorney, filing a valid federal lawsuit that merited the serious consideration of the court.
September 2020
Overwhelmed by her life situation in September 2020, Alvarez went to DHHS caseworker Dennis O’Brien of North Platte for help in keeping her children safe.
But instead of helping, her children were removed...
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