Opinion ID: 1726817
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Familial Integrity

Text: In his second contention, Williams argues that his rights under the U.S. and Nebraska Constitutions to quiet use and enjoyment of his property were violated without due process of law. Williams alleges in his complaint that Baird informed Janette that unless Williams ceased to reside in the family home, Baird would not allow Williams' stepchildren to return to the family home. Relying on these statements, Williams alleges that Janette obtained a protection order against him and that he was barred from his home for approximately 2 months. Based upon the record presented to us, a fair characterization of the right at issue would be the right to familial integrity, wherein parents and children have a constitutionally protected liberty interest in the care and companionship of one another. [48] This right is clearly established. [49] However, there is a high burden upon plaintiffs attempting to establish a violation of the right to familial integrity. [50] The Eight Circuit has repeatedly noted that when a state official pursuing a child abuse investigation takes an action which would otherwise unconstitutionally disrupt familial integrity, he or she is entitled to qualified immunity, if such action [was] properly founded upon a reasonable suspicion of child abuse. [51] Based upon the record presented to us, we conclude that certain factual determinations remain unresolved. In particular, we note that factual determinations are necessary in order to decide whether Baird had a reasonable suspicion that Williams was abusing the children. Complicating this matter further is the fact that the district court failed to address in any manner Williams' claim of familial integrity. These unresolved factual determinations prevent us from utilizing the collateral order doctrine to decide whether Baird, in fact, violated the clearly established right alleged by Williams. We note that a hearing on these factual determinations might assist the district court in clarifying Baird's entitlement to qualified immunity on this second claim.