Opinion ID: 2126789
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: background of xavier's adjudication

Text: After Xavier's birth, Katianne immediately suspected that Xavier might have a milk allergy because he kept spitting up breast milk. Katianne's daughter, Kalila, had been born with reflux and allergies to soy and milk proteins and had shown similar symptoms. Katianne and Xavier were discharged from the hospital within 2 days, but Katianne continued to seek medical care for Xavier's feeding problem, taking Xavier to his pediatrician several times a week. Xavier was eventually diagnosed with a milk and soy protein intolerance and gastroesophageal reflux. From May 12 to July 23, 2004, Xavier was put on several different hypoallergenic formulas, but he continued to spit up frequently. He was gaining weight poorly and was very irritable. Katianne explained that Xavier's allergies and reflux problem were much more severe than her daughter Kalila's had been. On July 23, 2004, Xavier was placed on a nasogastric feeding tube which would drip formula into his stomach at a slow rate to allow him to absorb the formula without spitting it up. The feeding tube was to be in place at all times. Xavier had to wear special mittens to keep from pulling it out. He would have to go to the hospital to have the tube reinserted if he pulled it out. The pump would alarm every once in a while, and there was a list of procedures to determine the reason for the alarm. The bags of formula needed to be refilled as soon as they were empty, and periodic tubing changes were also required. When Xavier was 2 weeks old, Katianne had gone back to work part time at a gas station. She explained that she soon began to suffer from postpartum depression, which was getting progressively worse. She did not seek professional help. Katianne had a history of depression as a teenager and of drug and alcohol abuse as a young adult. However, Katianne was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and had not had a drinking or drug abuse problem since at least 2000. Xavier was cared for by his father or a sitter while Katianne was at work. Katianne became concerned over whether they could properly care for Xavier's special needs. According to Katianne, the pediatrician suggested temporary out-of-home care as a solution. Katianne testified that she contacted social services for assistance. Crystal Hestekind, a protection and safety worker for the Department of Health and Human Services (the Department), helped Katianne get some assistance through some community service agencies, but the Department initially refused out-of-home voluntary temporary placement. On July 28, 2004, someone filed a report with the Department expressing concerns about Xavier's health and well-being. After an investigation, the report was deemed to be unfounded. In discussions with Katianne about the report, Katianne again expressed to the Department her concern over Xavier's care while she was at work. Hestekind had Home Health Care increase its visitation to Katianne's home to three to four times per week to assist with weight checks and the pump. Hestekind explained that they were also encouraging Katianne to seek assistance for her postpartum depression, but, at that time, Katianne was reticent to take medication. Hestekind explained that Katianne was not very successful in keeping in communication with Hestekind, and Xavier still was not gaining any weight. Hestekind testified that she had offered to set up commercial daycare with staff properly trained for Xavier's medical needs, but that Katianne had refused because of concerns about Xavier's becoming sick by being around other children. Hestekind later admitted that the daycare she had arranged for Katianne was closed during the evening hours that Katianne worked. Because the situation was deteriorating, on August 9, 2004, Katianne and the Department agreed to a voluntary 1-month placement of Xavier outside the home. Xavier's condition improved in the foster home. On August 23, Katianne suffered what she described as a relapse. She drank half a bottle of whiskey, took a bunch of pills, and was hospitalized for several days as a result. Because Xavier still needed special care to be weaned from the feeding tube to the bottle, the Department asked Katianne and Xavier's father to sign a voluntary extension of the out-of-home placement. When Xavier's father refused to agree to the extension, Xavier was adjudicated, in accordance with Neb.Rev.Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Reissue 2004), to be under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court due to the parents' failure to provide proper care. The petition for adjudication alleged that Xavier's parents did not feel they were capable of caring for Xavier while he had the feeding tube.