Opinion ID: 1314324
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: The Termination of Sonya's Parental Rights Is in the Children's Best Interests

Text: Sonya contends that the State did not prove by clear and convincing evidence that termination of her parental rights was in the best interests of Hunter, Jagger, and Phoenix. This court has stated that when a parent is unable or unwilling to rehabilitate himself or herself within a reasonable time, the best interests of the child require termination of the parental rights. In re Interest of Joshua M. et al., 251 Neb. 614, 636, 558 N.W.2d 548, 563 (1997). We have further recognized that children cannot, and should not, be suspended in foster care or be made to await uncertain parental maturity. Id. The concept of permanency in the life of a child is a recognition that when there is no reasonable expectation that a natural parent will fulfill his or her responsibility to a child, the child should be given an opportunity to live with an adult who has demonstrated a willingness and ability to assume that responsibility and has a permanent legal obligation to do so. (Emphasis omitted.) In re Interest of Sunshine A. et al., 258 Neb. 148, 158, 602 N.W.2d 452, 460 (1999). These propositions of law have direct application to Hunter, Jagger, and Phoenix. The record reflects that despite 4 years of rehabilitation plans, Sonya has been unable or unwilling to rehabilitate herself. There is evidence in the record that the foster family with whom the children live wish to adopt all three of the children. There is also evidence from which it could be determined that adoption and permanency with this foster family would provide the children with secure and healthy lives. Given these circumstances and the entire record in this case, which we have reviewed de novo, we conclude that there exists clear and convincing evidence that terminating Sonya's parental rights is in the best interests of Hunter, Jagger, and Phoenix. This assigned error is without merit.