Opinion ID: 4464077
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: Giavonni was adjudicated under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Reissue 2016) in April 2010 and placed with the Department. He has been in a variety of placements since that time. In October 2017, Giavonni was adjudicated under § 43-247(1) and placed at Capstone, a psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) in Detroit, Michigan. In late 2017, Giavonni was also placed on probation with the office of juvenile probation following adjudication and disposition on a charge of theft by unlawful taking. On October 9, 2018, Giavonni’s guardian ad litem filed a motion alleging that placement in the Capstone program was no longer in Giavonni’s best interests. The guardian ad litem requested that Giavonni be returned to Nebraska and placed at the LRC. A hearing was held on that motion on October 22, 2018. The juvenile court ordered Giavonni returned to Nebraska and placed at the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) for secure detention. The juvenile court scheduled further placement review for November 9. At the November 9, 2018, hearing, Giavonni was represented individually and also by a guardian ad litem. Giavonni’s father appeared with counsel, and Douglas County and the Department appeared with separate representation. On appeal, - 583 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 304 Nebraska Reports IN RE INTEREST OF GIAVONNI P. Cite as 304 Neb. 580 only the Department and the guardian ad litem filed briefs. The State (represented by Douglas County) waived oral argument. No other party has entered an appearance. At the placement review hearing, Giavonni’s family permanency specialist reviewed Giavonni’s recent history. That history included flight from Capstone, the PRTF in Detroit; violent behavior toward other residents and staff at Capstone; and property destruction. In addition, while in Detroit, Giavonni refused to engage in therapy or take his medications. Another witness testified that Capstone was more like jail than a treatment center and reinforced Giavonni’s refusal to leave his room or to interact with others in any setting. The witness also reiterated that Giavonni was not taking his medications while at Capstone. Upon his return to Nebraska and placement at the DCYC, Giavonni was again involved with acts of aggression. He had not met with a therapist, but was apparently taking his medication. Other evidence presented showed that there were concerns with placing Giavonni at any facility which was not secure and which would require him to have a roommate, due to the fact that he was a flight risk and was aggressive. A psychiatrist testified that Giavonni needed treatment in a locked facility such as an adolescent PRTF, medical stabilization, and placement in a community setting. There was evidence that there were only approximately 20 facilities in the United States that met Giavonni’s treatment criteria. Of the facilities that responded to an inquiry, none was able to admit Giavonni, either because of his violent history or because of space constraints. Following the hearing, the juvenile court entered an order in each case stating that if Giavonni was not placed in a PRTF by November 26, 2018, the Douglas County sheriff should deliver him to the LRC, where he was to remain until a PRTF placement could be found. On November 27, the court was advised at a placement check hearing that Giavonni had been placed at the LRC. - 584 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 304 Nebraska Reports IN RE INTEREST OF GIAVONNI P. Cite as 304 Neb. 580 The Department filed a notice of appeal in each case on December 3, 2018, indicating that it appealed from the juvenile court’s November 9 order (the notice of appeal is dated November 28, 2018). On May 6, 2019, Giavonni was moved from the LRC into a new placement. Prior to oral arguments, the guardian ad litem filed a suggestion of mootness, which we denied.