Opinion ID: 2045627
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Pre-adjudication Referrals

Text: Lona contends that the juvenile court improperly admitted evidence of referrals to DSS regarding Lona and her children. The referrals occurred prior to the adjudication that the children were within the meaning of § 43-247(3)(a) and the adoption of the rehabilitation plan. Lona argues that such evidence was irrelevant to the determination of whether Lona had complied with the rehabilitation plan or whether termination of her parental rights would be in the best interests of the children and that such evidence should not have been admitted. We agree. Referrals to DSS which occurred prior to the adjudication are not relevant to a determination of whether Lona complied with the rehabilitation plan after adjudication. However, the improper admission of evidence by the trial court does not, by itself, constitute reversible error. See In re Interest of J.H., 242 Neb. 906, 497 N.W.2d 346 (1993). As long as an appellant properly objected at trial, an appellate court will not consider any such evidence in its de novo review of the record. Id. This evidence was not considered in our de novo review of the record.