Opinion ID: 1995389
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: wendy's parental rights are terminated

Text: In November 2004, the State moved to terminate Wendy's parental rights. In May 2005, however, the State moved to dismiss the motion for termination. The court granted the motion to dismiss and dismissed the State's motion with prejudice. However, in May 2006, the children's guardian ad litem moved to terminate Wendy's parental rights. The guardian ad litem alleged that the court should terminate Wendy's parental rights under § 43-292(2), (3), (6), and (7), and that it was in the children's best interests. The guardian ad litem called each child's current foster mother to testify. Destiny's foster mother testified, over Wendy's objection, that Destiny usually stated she did not want to attend scheduled visits with Wendy. The court also overruled Wendy's objection when Destiny's foster mother testified that if Destiny became free for adoption, she would be willing to provide care and support for her. The court also allowed Antonio's foster mother to testify that Antonio tells her he does not want to go on visits with Wendy. Wendy also objected when Antonio's foster mother testified that she and her husband would be willing to provide Antonio a loving home if he became available for adoption. The court overruled Wendy's objection. The director of Destiny and Antonio's daycare testified that she sometimes observed Destiny right before a visitation with Wendy and that Destiny was usually withdrawn. Destiny would cling to the daycare personnel and say she did not want to go on the visit. The daycare director stated this was the same for Antonio. The case manager testified that when she observed visits between Wendy and the children, she noticed Destiny and Antonio did not seem excited to be there. Other testimony showed Wendy had generally complied with the case plan and continued to make progress. Witnesses reported that during visits with the children, Wendy was affectionate and nurturing. The family's case manager from June 2004 through February 2006 testified that Wendy had submitted to random urinalysis screenings, which were negative. She further stated she had no concerns that Wendy was using drugs or alcohol during that time. But evidence established that Wendy's April 26, 2006, urinalysis was positive for methamphetamine. After the positive test, a case manager sent Wendy two letters, the first requesting she complete a urinalysis on May 25, and the second requesting two more urinalysis screenings in June. Wendy did not comply with these requests. Evidence also showed Wendy missed individual therapy sessions at about the same time. She attended six sessions from March to May 2006, but she missed the next six sessions. Although she gave the therapist reasons for missing three of the sessions, the other three missed sessions were no-shows. On November 6, 2006, the juvenile court terminated Wendy's parental rights. The court found by clear and convincing evidence that grounds existed under § 43-292(2), (3), (6), and (7) for termination. The court also decided that termination was in the children's best interests and denied Wendy's motion for continued visitation.