Rhode Island child welfare reform advocate dies of cancer

Rhode Island child welfare reform advocate and author Nicholas Alahverdian, 32, died on Saturday after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, his family said in a statement to NBC 10.

Alahverdian overcame a troubled childhood in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, and went on to fight for DCYF reform.

He caught the attention of lawmakers when he claimed he was abused and tortured during out-of-state placements in Florida and Nebraska, eventually exposing dangerous living conditions for children. He later sued those alleged abusers and state officials. The case was settled.

Alahverdian’s obituary said he “lived a warrior’s life, (and was a) fighter in spirit but a peacemaker in practice.”

After working for the General Assembly as a page and a legislative aide, Alahverdian attended Harvard University.

Just weeks ago, legislation spearheaded by Providence Rep. Raymond Hull (D) was introduced, that would create a House of Representatives oversight commission on DCYF. The bill is pending.

He leaves behind a wife and two young children.