Opinion ID: 1746524
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: facts

Text: On March 24, 1998, the State filed a petition alleging that Dustin, Brandon, Lacie, Brooke, and Tara were within the meaning of Neb.Rev.Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Supp.1997) because of the faults and habits of Tonya. An amended petition alleged that on or about March 19, Tonya left the children and failed to return for them. At an adjudication hearing on June 24, 1998, Tonya was represented by counsel, but Tonya herself did not appear. Following the receipt of evidence, the juvenile court found that placement of the children in Tonya's home at that time would be contrary to the health, safety, or welfare of the children. The court found that the children came within the meaning of § 43-247(3)(a), being under the age of 18 years and lacking proper parental care by reason of the faults or habits of Tonya in that on or about March 19, Tonya left three of the children with Jane Holm, promising to return for them that afternoon, and that on or about March 19, two of the children were found home alone. The children were placed in protective custody on March 20 after the Omaha Police Division was notified that Tonya had not returned for them. The evidence showed that on or about March 22, Tonya's home was observed to be in a filthy, unwholesome condition. In addition, the court noted that as of April 27, Tonya had failed to contact anyone regarding the children. The juvenile court concluded that the children were at risk for harm and that the children should remain in the temporary custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Department) for appropriate care and placement. The matter was then set for a dispositional hearing. At a dispositional hearing on August 27, 1998, the juvenile court found that placement of the children in Tonya's home at that time would be contrary to the health, safety, or welfare of the children and that reasonable efforts had been made to preserve and reunify the family, but had not made reunification possible. The court found that it was in the best interests and welfare of the children that they remain in the custody of the Department for appropriate care and placement. In addition, the juvenile court ordered Tonya to undergo a psychological examination, a parenting and chemical dependency evaluation, and a bonding assessment; to pay $25 to the clerk of the district court by August 31, 1998, as restitution for drug screening costs; and to pay the same amount each month on the 15th day of the month until further order of the court. The court further ordered Tonya to contribute a sum in accordance with the Nebraska Child Support Guidelines. This portion of the order was continued until a later date to be set by counsel. Tonya was also ordered to immediately inform her attorney, the Department, and the juvenile court administrator in writing of any change of address or telephone number. In addition, Tonya was ordered not to leave Douglas County without authorization of the court, and it was ordered that she have no rights of visitation with the children pending further order of the court. On October 13, 1998, the State filed a supplemental petition, alleging that it was in the children's best interests to terminate Tonya's parental rights pursuant to Neb.Rev.Stat. § 43-292(1) (Reissue 1998) in that Tonya had abandoned the children. On October 28, the juvenile court continued the termination because Tonya could not be found. The court ordered that a diligent search be made for Tonya and that if she was not found, she would be notified of the termination by publication. The record before us concerning Michael, the father of Lacie, is sparse. A hearing was held on December 9, 1998, in which the State presented evidence in support of its motion to terminate parental rights to all of the children. At this time, Michael appeared with counsel to contest termination of his parental rights based upon abandonment. Michael's motion for continuance was overruled, but his counsel was granted leave to present his defense at a later time. The State then presented evidence against Tonya regarding the issue of abandonment. Michelle Hemphill, a case manager with the Department, testified that Tonya had failed to visit the children and had made only two telephone calls to the Department over a 7-month period. Hemphill testified that from March 20 to October 13, 1998, Tonya failed to contact the Department regarding the well-being of the children. In addition, between August 27 and October 13, Hemphill referred Tonya for a psychological evaluation and discussed the chemical dependency evaluation that had been ordered by the court. Tonya did not complete either evaluation. Hemphill was never able to address any of the issues of visitation or the recommended services because she was unable to locate Tonya. Hemphill testified that termination of Tonya's parental rights was in the children's best interests. Linda Rider-Hunt, the children's therapist, testified that Tonya never made contact or visited with the children in the 6 months preceding the filing of the supplemental petition. She also testified that the children's emotional, physical, and psychological needs were being met by the foster parents and that these needs had not been met by Tonya either before or after the children were placed in protective custody. Bob Owens, a risk assessment investigator for the Department who was assigned to the case on March 25, 1998, testified that Tonya had not kept any of their scheduled appointments. The only contact Tonya had with Owens was a telephone call to inquire whether she was in trouble. Tonya told Owens she was fearful of being arrested by the police, and Owens stated that Tonya never inquired about the children's well-being and foster care. On January 6, 1999, the juvenile court found by clear and convincing evidence that the children were within the meaning of § 43-292(1) and that it was in their best interests that Tonya's parental rights be terminated. The children were ordered to remain in the temporary custody of the Department for appropriate care and placement. At that time, the court continued the matter regarding Michael. On February 9, 1999, the matter came on for adjudication of Lacie as to Michael. On February 10, the juvenile court took the matter of termination of Michael's parental rights under advisement. However, the record does not reflect the final disposition of Michael's parental rights. On December 20, this court issued an order to show cause because the transcript filed herein did not contain a final order which terminated Michael's parental rights. Michael was ordered to show cause on or before December 30 why this appeal should not be dismissed for lack of a final, appealable order. The record reflects no response to this order to show cause.