Court Opinion

ID: 9703865
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:10:54.824619+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:52.434459
License: Public Domain

Krivosha, C. J.,
dissenting.
I regret that I must respectfully dissent from the majority opinion in this case. While I acknowledge that this is a difficult and sad situation, I do not believe that it is established by clear and convincing evidence that the children lack proper parental care by reason of the faults or habits of thé mother as required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-202(2)(b) (Reissue 1978). I acknowledge that the appellant has not been able to comply with the plan of rehabilitation. I suggest, however, that the plan in this case was not realistic. The mother in this case is a poor, uneducated alcoholic. Persons who are as untrained as the *168appellant have difficulty obtaining employment, particularly at a time when many Americans, better trained, are unemployed. And, if unemployed, she will likewise have difficulty obtaining permanent housing. Moreover, as an alcoholic, she cannot “cure” herself merely by wishing to do so. I simply do not believe that it is appropriate for courts to rearrange families on the basis that by terminating parental rights a child may thereby be adopted by a “better” family. I would have reversed.