Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative

Filed on October 11, 2011
19 Neb. App. 259, ____ N.W.2d ____
SUMMARY: The newly enacted statute removing the presumption that the case plan is in the child’s best interests is applicable to an already-pending case because it only affects a procedural right. DHHS must offer reasonable efforts to a parent whose goal is reunification to [...]

Filed on February 15, 2011
Not designated for permanent publication, A-10-893
SUMMARY: If reasonable efforts have been made to reunify the child with a parent, placing the child out-of-state with another parent does not automatically create a situation not conducive to reunification; however; a concurrent goal of adoption should be changed to “change of custody” if placement [...]

Filed on October 13, 2009
774 N.W.2d 766, 18 Neb. App. 63
SUMMARY: Permanent modification of custody in an abuse/neglect case cannot be made in a dispositional order and instead must occur pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. section 42-364 through a complaint to modify, a modification hearing and findings that there has been a material change in [...]

In re Interest of Chloe H. and Katrina H.
Filed on October 31, 2006
15 Neb. App. 148, 723 N.W.2d 363
SUMMARY: For the purposes of interpreting when DHHS is required to make reasonable efforts towards reunification under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-286.01, a family is defined as either the biological parents or a stepparent when such stepparent [...]

Filed on April 11, 2006
14 Neb. App. 663, 712 N.W.2d 289
SUMMARY: In examining the testimony of numerous medical experts disputing the explanations offered by the parents of their son’s multiple fractures, and given the rule that actual injury or physical harm is not required for the court to take protective steps, the Court of Appeals [...]