Court Opinion

ID: 9849076
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:34:19.89831+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:59.865001
License: Public Domain

Krivosha, C.J.,
dissenting.
I regret, but I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion in this case. As noted by the majority, an order terminating parental rights must be based on clear and convincing evidence. In re Interest of Fant, 214 Neb. 692, 335 N.W.2d 314 (1983). In my view the evidence in this case does not, by clear and convincing evidence, justify the termination. What we have is a mother who has spent a great deal of time in jail and, therefore of necessity, away from her minor child. While such action is not to be condoned, it is, nevertheless, to be considered when terminating parental rights because of lack of parental care. The reason for that is because we have previously said that incarceration should not be the sole reason for terminating parental rights. See, In re Interest of Wagner and Russell, 209 Neb. 33, 305 N.W.2d 900 (1981); In re Interest of Ditter, 212 Neb. 279, 322 N.W.2d 642 (1982).
The evidence in this case discloses that whenever the mother is not incarcerated she is with her child and does attempt, as best she can, to provide the child with love and affection. Furthermore, the record discloses that even when she is in prison she has made efforts to remain in contact with the child and to have the child with her whenever possible. While the record discloses that she has not been able to maintain a *406full-time job nor fully understand the need to cooperate with the caseworkers, there is some explanation for all of that. As noted by the majority, a psychological evaluation resulted in a finding that she is a person of borderline intelligence. In evaluating her functions, therefore, we should not ignore that fact. We cannot limit motherhood to only those persons of average or above average intelligence. Parents come in all mental sizes, and absent a showing of injury to the child other than or different from that which any family of borderline intelligence which does not come within the grasps of the courts might create, we should not terminate parental rights.
It is not the function of courts to find “better homes,” even though that may be in the best interests of the child, where the evidence does not .clearly and convincingly justify termination. I would have reversed the decision of the juvenile court.