Opinion ID: 1272597
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: chance j. in foster care

Text: In June 2007, the State initiated juvenile proceedings against Miranda alleging that Chance came within the meaning of Neb. Rev.Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Cum. Supp. 2006). Chance was removed from Miranda's home and placed in foster care, and eventually, Miranda's parental rights were terminated. When juvenile proceedings were first initiated, Chance was placed with a licensed foster parent for approximately 6 months. At Andrew's termination hearing, the first foster parent testified that when she received Chance, he was not developmentally up to par. She testified that Amy Watson, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) caseworker, told her Andrew was Chance's father, but that in the 6 months of placement in that foster home, there were no visitations and no contact from Andrew. Chance was then transferred to a second foster home, where he has remained. Chance's second foster mother testified that she believed Chance was developmentally delayed when he came to her home and that, at 18 months old, Chance was barely walking, was unable to communicate, and just sat there. She described Chance as not interacting well, including not wanting to be held or touched. The second foster mother was concerned about Chance's behavior and quit her job to stay at home with him, explaining that Chance was afraid to be at daycare. She took Chance to a pediatric specialist to test for autism and also to the Munroe-Meyer Institute in Omaha, which specializes in providing services and support for persons with genetic disorders and developmental disabilities. The foster mother also initiated testing with Omaha Public Schools and secured services for Chance, such as early childhood development and speech therapy. The service providers come to Chance's second foster home and also to Chance's daycare to work with him daily. She testified that Chance is still delayed, but has adjusted well, and is now walking, talking, and riding bikes. Chance's second foster mother explained that Chance has had no visitation with Andrew and has not received any form of contact from him. In late July 2008, the foster mother was instructed that Chance would be having visitation with Andrew, but the visitation never took place and she was never contacted.