Court Opinion

ID: 4558450
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-08-25 13:08:08.296312+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:18:54.717623
License: Public Domain

IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS

               MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
                        (Memorandum Web Opinion)

                                       DAVID W. V. ELISE B.

  NOTICE: THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT PUBLICATION
 AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY NEB. CT. R. APP. P. § 2-102(E).

                                       DAVID W., APPELLEE,
                                                 V.

                                       ELISE B., APPELLANT.

                             Filed August 25, 2020.    No. A-19-1140.

       Appeal from the District Court for Lancaster County: ROGER J. HEIDEMAN, Juvenile Court
Judge. Affirmed.
       Troy J. Bird, of Hoppe Law Firm, L.L.C., for appellant.
       No appearance for appellee.

       MOORE, Chief Judge, and BISHOP and WELCH, Judges.
       MOORE, Chief Judge.
                                        INTRODUCTION
       Elise B. appeals from the order of the District Court for Lancaster County, which
terminated her parental rights to her minor child. For the following reasons, we affirm.
                                   FACTUAL BACKGROUND
        Savanna B. was born in December 2006 to Elise and David W. In 2009, David filed a
complaint to establish paternity and custody. Our record does not contain any other filings or orders
entered with respect to the paternity action until October 30, 2018, when David filed an application
for the termination of Elise’s parental rights. David alleged that grounds for termination existed
under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-292(2), (4), and (6), and that termination was in Savanna’s best
interests. Trial was held on October 29 and 30, 2019. The following evidence was heard at trial.

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         Prior to 2014, Savanna lived with Elise at all times except for a period of time from June
2007 through October 2008, during which Savanna was in the custody of the Department of Health
and Human Services (the Department). In 2014, a parenting plan was created, giving David
custody of Savanna and allowing Elise parenting time every other weekend.
         Elise and her husband, Douglas S., have two sons who are younger than Savanna. Melissa
Mager, a Child and Family Specialist with the Department, testified that she was Elise’s case
manager in the juvenile case involving these boys from approximately October 2016 through
March 2018. Mager testified that Elise’s sons were removed in October 2016 due to substance
abuse concerns and lack of proper housing. Two affidavits of probable cause for Elise’s arrest were
entered into evidence. The first affidavit, dated October 1, 2016, alleged Elise was found with both
methamphetamine and marijuana while hiding in a hallway of her apartment building with her son.
The second affidavit, dated November 17, 2016, alleged that Elise was cited for neglect of her sons
when officers found the children outside unattended and several miles from home, while Elise was
asleep on the couch at home, exhibiting signs of narcotics use.
         Savanna was not made a part of the juvenile case involving the boys because she was in
David’s custody at the time the boys were removed from the parental home. According to Mager,
Elise completed treatment, sporadically complied with drug and alcohol testing, but did not
achieve her family support goals. Following Elise’s initial substance abuse treatment, she failed to
continue attending outpatient treatment. Ultimately, Elise failed to correct the conditions that
brought the children in to juvenile court and she voluntarily relinquished her parental rights to the
boys in March 2018 after a motion to terminate her parental rights was filed.
         Kelly Micek was employed as a mental health therapist for Elise’s sons and also supervised
visits between Elise and her sons. Micek testified that she worked with Elise’s sons to overcome
trauma they experienced as a result of physical, emotional, and some sexual abuse by Elise. Micek
testified that Elise denied involvement in any sexual abuse. Micek testified to her understanding
that at times, Elise hit her sons with a belt or a tent pole and disciplined them by locking them in
a bedroom for days at a time without access to food or the restroom. Micek opined that Elise was
unable to acknowledge the impact her abuse had on her children.
         According to David’s current wife, Jessica W., Elise only attempted to exercise her
parenting time around seven times between the order and the time of trial. David testified that he
frequently invited Elise to Savanna’s softball games but Elise never attended. However, at the time
of trial, David had not allowed Elise to exercise any parenting time due to safety concerns for
approximately 18 months. David testified that Mager told him not to allow contact between Elise
and Savanna after Elise’s other children were removed from her care. David also testified that
Elise never had a safe and stable home, moved frequently, and often changed her phone number.
         In October 2018, Elise went to David’s home and demanded that David let her exercise her
parenting time with Savanna. At the time, Savanna was at the YMCA. Elise left David’s home and
went to the YMCA and picked Savanna up. Savanna testified that she was surprised that her mother
picked her up. Elise took Savanna to her apartment in Lincoln, where Savanna stayed from Friday
afternoon through Sunday evening. Savanna testified that on Sunday morning, when she woke up,
Elise was not at the apartment. Elise told Savanna she left the apartment to visit someone in jail.
Savanna testified that she felt scared being at the apartment by herself.

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        Savanna testified that since she has lived with her father, she has had infrequent contact
with her mother. Savanna indicated that there was a month or two when she had regular visits with
Elise and her brothers. Savanna also testified that Elise tried to facilitate contact between Savanna
and her former stepfather, Douglas, who Savanna was not supposed to have contact with.
According to Savanna, when she was younger, her mom “would have Doug” abuse Savanna and
her brothers. In June 2019, Elise texted Savanna claiming that she was going to commit suicide.
Savanna stated that she no longer wanted to have visits with her mom because “every time when
I’m with her, something bad happens.” However, Savanna would like to have limited contact with
Elise via text messaging.
        Alexandra B., Elise’s sister, also testified. Alexandra testified that Elise would discipline
Savanna by screaming at Savanna, hitting her in the mouth with the back of her hand, and calling
her names. Alexandra testified that Elise would lock Savanna and her other children in their
bedrooms, which on one occasion resulted in Savanna falling out of a window and breaking both
of her arms. Alexandra opined that the house Elise provided for the children was not clean and that
she was neglecting her kids. Alexandra testified that at times, Elise was unemployed and relied on
disability benefits as a source of income. Alexandra made several police reports regarding Elise’s
parenting, including reports that Elise was using drugs. Alexandra opined that Elise’s use of drugs
hinders her ability to be a parent, but that she is capable of being a good parent when she is not
using drugs.
        On November 1, 2019 the district court entered an order terminating Elise’s parental rights,
finding that David established grounds for termination under § 43-292(2), but failed to prove the
existence of grounds under subsections (4) and (6). With regard to subsection (2), the court noted
the adjudication of Savanna’s two siblings, Elise’s ongoing lack of insight and motivation to
correct the issues which led to that adjudication as well as her failure to comply with the court
ordered rehabilitation plan in those cases, and her relinquishment of her parental rights to those
siblings. The court found the evidence relating to Savanna established a historical pattern of abuse
and neglect by Elise. The court noted that Elise was able to maintain only sporadic visits and had
minimal participation in Savanna’s life. The court went on to state that Elise offered no evidence
to defend the allegations of the application to terminate her parental rights and declined to come
for the second day of trial, having left the first day prior to the court’s adjournment. The court
concluded that the record shows an ongoing pattern of Elise’s failure to put her children’s needs
ahead of her own by failing to provide a safe environment for the children and failing to put herself
in a position to parent Savanna in an appropriate manner. The court also found that termination of
Elise’s parental rights was in Savanna’s best interests. Elise appeals.
                                   ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
       Elise assigns that the district court erred by (1) allowing Alexandra to testify at trial due to
lack of proper disclosure, (2) terminating Elise’s parental rights under § 43-292(2), and (3)
determining that termination was in the best interests of the minor child.
                                    STANDARD OF REVIEW
      Cases arising under the Nebraska Juvenile Code are reviewed de novo on the record, and
an appellate court is required to reach a conclusion independent of the trial court’s findings.

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However, when the evidence is in conflict, the appellate court will consider and give weight to the
fact that the lower court observed the witnesses and accepted one version of the facts over the
other. Wayne G. v. Jaquelin W., 288 Neb. 262, 847 N.W.2d 85 (2014).
                                            ANALYSIS
Testimony of Alexandra.
        Elise argues that the district court erred by allowing Alexandra to testify at trial despite
being disclosed to Elise only 3 days before trial. District Court Local Rules § 3-9(D) require that
“[t]he parties are under a continuing duty to update all information that is required to appear on
the Pretrial Memorandum; however, no amendment may be made to a Pretrial Memorandum 5 or
less days prior to trial without consent of the other party or leave of the court.” Elise’s attorney
objected to the witness at trial, which objection was overruled by the court. Whether a party’s late
disclosure of evidence results in prejudice depends on whether the information sought is material
to the preparation of the defense, meaning that there is a strong indication that such information
will play an important role in uncovering admissible evidence, aiding preparation of witnesses,
corroborating testimony, or assisting impeachment or rebuttal. State v. Alford, 278 Neb. 818, 774
N.W.2d 394 (2009). Elise argues that based on the late disclosure, she was unable to verify
Alexandra’s testimony, credibility, or prepare any impeachment evidence. Elise argues that the
trial court relied heavily on Alexandra’s testimony and therefore she was prejudiced by the district
court’s decision to allow Alexandra to testify.
        The district court terminated Elise’s parental rights under § 43-292(2). As set forth above,
the district court noted that Elise had a historical pattern of abuse and neglect with Savanna’s
siblings and minimal participation in Savanna’s life. The court did not specifically refer to
Alexandra’s testimony in the analysis contained in the order of termination. Although Alexandra
did testify regarding Elise’s abuse and neglect of her children, similar testimony was obtained from
Mager, Micek, David, Jessica, and Savanna herself. We also note that Elise’s attorney advised the
court that he did have an opportunity to visit with Elise after being notified that Alexandra was
going to testify, and he conducted a thorough cross-examination of Alexandra. We conclude that
Elise was not prejudiced by the late disclosure and the district court did not err in admitting
Alexandra’s testimony.
Termination of Parental Rights Under § 43-292(2).
        In order to terminate parental rights, a court must find by clear and convincing evidence
that one of the statutory grounds enumerated in § 43-292 exists and that the termination is in the
child’s best interests. In re Interest of Alec S., 294 Neb. 784, 884 N.W.2d 701 (2016). Section
43-292(2) states that the court may terminate parental rights when it finds that it is in the best
interest of the juvenile and “[t]he parents have substantially and continuously or repeatedly
neglected and refused to give the juvenile or a sibling of the juvenile necessary parental care and
protection.” Upon our de novo review, we find that David presented clear and convincing evidence
to support the termination of Elise’s parental rights under § 43-292(2).
        Elise argues that the trial court erred in terminating her parental rights under § 43-292(2),
asserting that much of the testimony in support of this conclusion came from the untimely

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disclosed witness, Alexandra. As stated above, several other witnesses testified regarding the abuse
and neglect of Savanna and her siblings.
         The record shows that Elise admittedly neglected her two sons due to her substance abuse;
subjected them to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse (the oldest boy); failed to correct the
conditions that led to their removal from her home and adjudication in juvenile court; and
ultimately relinquished her parental rights to them. Clearly, the evidence was sufficient to find that
Elise failed to provide Savanna’s siblings with necessary parental care and protection.
         With regard to Savanna, the record shows that Elise rarely attempted to exercise parenting
time after David obtained custody in 2014, and did not show up to events she was invited to attend
with Savanna. Elise allowed Douglas to abuse Savanna when they were residing together, Elise
left Savanna alone in her apartment for several hours, and Elise texted her threatening to commit
suicide. Elise did not have stable housing. Further, as noted by the district court, Elise was absent
for much of the trial, failing to defend against the allegations.
         A parent’s failure to provide an environment to which his or her children can return can
establish substantial, continual, and repeated neglect, as would support termination of parental
rights. In re Interest of Joseph S. et al., 291 Neb. 953, 870 N.W.2d 141 (2015). One need not have
physical possession of a child to demonstrate the existence of neglect contemplated by statute
providing for termination of parental rights based on substantially and continuously or repeatedly
neglecting to provide children with necessary parental care and protection. Id.
         Despite the fact that David denied Elise her parenting time for a period of time, Elise’s
failure to consistently seek involvement in Savanna’s life and provide a safe environment for
Savanna is enough to support the termination of Elise’s parental rights. Therefore, the district court
did not err in terminating Elise’s parental rights under § 43-292(2).
Best Interests.
        In addition to proving a statutory ground, it must be shown that termination is in the best
interests of the child. See In re Interest of Austin G., 24 Neb. App. 773, 898 N.W.2d 385 (2017).
Elise argues that the trial court erred in determining it was in Savanna’s best interest to terminate
her parental rights. A child’s best interests are presumed to be served by having a relationship with
his or her parent. In re Interest of Alec S., 294 Neb. 784, 884 N.W.2d 701 (2016). Based on the
idea that fit parents act in the best interests of their children, this presumption is overcome only
when it has been proven that the parent is unfit. In re Interest of Jahon S., 291 Neb. 97, 864 N.W.2d
228 (2015). In the context of the constitutionally protected relationship between a parent and a
child, parental unfitness means a personal deficiency or incapacity which has prevented, or will
probably prevent, performance of a reasonable parental obligation in child rearing and which
caused, or probably will result in, detriment to a child’s well-being. Id.
        The district court noted in the termination order that Savanna needs stability which Elise
is clearly unable to provide. The court found that “[s]ubstantial work would need to occur before
[Savanna] could be parented by [Elise].” The court further found that Elise is unable to provide
appropriate care for Savanna and the totality of the evidence supports a finding that David met his
burden of rebutting the presumption that Elise is a fit parent. In our de novo review, we agree with
the district court’s assessment. Elise has not shown improvement in her parenting skills since she
relinquished her rights to Savanna’s siblings. Elise has shown little interest in improving her

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relationship with Savanna and what little communication has occurred has been harmful. Elise has
been unable to maintain a stable home, job, or phone number. Savanna testified that she did not
feel safe with Elise. Where 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 Zanaya W. et al., 291 Neb. 20, 863 N.W.2d 803 (2015); In re Interest of Becka P. et al.,
27 Neb. App. 489, 933 N.W.2d 873 (2019).
        For these reasons, we find no error in the finding of the district court that the best interests
of Savanna support termination of Elise’s parental rights.
                                           CONCLUSION
        We conclude that the district court did not err in terminating Elise’s parental rights because
conditions listed in § 43-292(2) clearly existed and termination was in the best interests of the
child. We affirm the judgment of the district court.
                                                                                           AFFIRMED.

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