In re Interest of Emilee J. ( 2013 )

IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
IN RE INTEREST OF EMILEE J.
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).
IN RE INTEREST OF EMILEE J., A CHILD UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
STATE OF NEBRASKA, APPELLEE,
V.
MICHAEL D., APPELLANT.
Filed September 10, 2013. No. A-13-059.
Appeal from the Separate Juvenile Court of Lancaster County: LINDA S. PORTER, Judge.
Affirmed.
Joy Shiffermiller, of Shiffermiller Law Office, P.C., L.L.O., for appellant.
Carolyn Bosn, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney, for appellee.
INBODY, Chief Judge, and IRWIN and RIEDMANN, Judges.
IRWIN, Judge.
I. INTRODUCTION
Michael D. appeals from the order of the juvenile court which terminated his parental
rights to his daughter, Emilee J. On appeal, Michael challenges the juvenile court’s finding that
his parental rights should be terminated pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-292(2) and (4) (Cum.
Supp. 2012) and the court’s finding that termination of his parental rights is in Emilee’s best
interests. Upon our de novo review of the record, we find that the State presented sufficient
evidence to warrant termination of Michael’s parental rights. As such, we affirm the order of the
juvenile court terminating Michael’s parental rights to Emilee.
II. BACKGROUND
These juvenile court proceedings involve Emilee, born in March 2007. Michael is
Emilee’s biological father. Josey J. is Emilee’s biological mother. Josey’s parental rights to
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Emilee have been terminated; however, she is not a party to this appeal, and her involvement in
the juvenile court proceedings will be discussed only to the extent necessary to provide
contextual background.
From the time of Emilee’s birth in March 2007 through June 2011, Emilee resided with
Josey. During this time, Michael had “regular visitation” with Emilee and saw her approximately
once a week. Also during this time period, Michael struggled with a substance abuse problem
and with criminal charges and convictions which occurred as a result of his substance abuse
problem. Michael’s struggles hindered his ability to see or care for Emilee.
In July 2009, Michael was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent
to deliver (a Class III felony) and with possession of more than 1 pound of marijuana (a Class IV
felony). Michael was convicted of both charges. He was sentenced to a period of 360 days in jail
for possessing more than 1 pound of marijuana. He began serving this sentence in May 2010. He
was initially approved for the work release program, but quickly lost this status after he failed a
drug test after returning from work one day. Michael was sentenced to 2 years of intensive
supervision probation for his conviction for intent to deliver a controlled substance. He began
serving this sentence after his release from jail in January 2011. Michael was still on probation
when these juvenile court proceedings were initiated.
The events which resulted in these juvenile court proceedings occurred during the
summer of 2011. In approximately June 2011, Josey brought Emilee to Michael’s residence for a
visit and did not immediately return. Emilee stayed with Michael for a few weeks before Josey
returned to take Emilee. At that time, Josey apparently took Emilee to reside with a family
member.
In August 2011, the State filed a petition alleging that Emilee was a child within the
meaning of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Reissue 2008) due to the faults or habits of Josey.
Specifically, the petition alleged that Josey had failed to provide Emilee with safe and stable
housing and admitted to using marijuana and that these actions placed Emilee at risk for harm.
Ultimately, Josey admitted to these allegations and Emilee was adjudicated as a child within the
meaning of § 43-247(3)(a).
At the time the petition was filed, Emilee resided with her maternal grandmother. She has
continuously remained in that placement throughout the pendency of the juvenile court
proceedings.
As Emilee’s father, Michael was served with notice of the petition and was ordered to
appear in the juvenile court for a hearing. Michael requested that counsel be appointed to him,
and the juvenile court granted this request. Michael also requested visitation with Emilee.
Beginning in October 2011, Michael began having supervised visitation with Emilee twice per
week. Initially, these visits occurred in Michael’s home; however, in November 2011, the visits
were moved to a visitation center after Emilee brought home toys after a visit with Michael and
insects crawled out of the toys and after Michael’s probation officer reported that he had tested
positive for a controlled substance during a recent urinalysis test. After the visits were moved to
the visitation center, Michael never attended another visit with Emilee. As such, Michael’s last
visit with Emilee was during the last part of October 2011.
A hearing was held in juvenile court on January 26, 2012. At this hearing, the court
learned that Michael had not ever completed paternity testing to formally establish that he was
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Emilee’s biological father. As a result of this discovery, the court discharged Michael’s
court-appointed counsel because “we don’t appoint counsel for alleged father[s] until paternity is
established.” The court ordered that genetic testing be made available to Michael so that he could
establish paternity. The court also indicated that Michael was not to have any visitation with
Emilee until such time as paternity had been established. However, it is clear that by the time of
this hearing, Michael was no longer participating in visitation.
In March 2012, Michael was incarcerated after failing to comply with multiple provisions
of his probation. His probation was revoked, and he was resentenced to 3 to 5 years’
imprisonment for his conviction for intent to distribute a controlled substance. After Michael was
incarcerated, he submitted to a paternity test. That test revealed that he is Emilee’s biological
father. As such, the juvenile court reappointed Michael with counsel. Michael indicated to the
juvenile court that he wished to be involved in the juvenile court proceedings and wished to be
involved in Emilee’s life.
On August 2, 2012, the State filed a supplemental petition and motion for termination of
parental rights as to Michael. In the supplemental petition, the State alleged that Emilee was a
child within the meaning of § 43-247(3)(a) due to the faults or habits of Michael. Specifically,
the petition alleged that Michael had failed to put himself in a position to provide for Emilee’s
basic needs or to provide an environment in which he could assume the care and custody of
Emilee because of his incarceration.
The motion for termination of Michael’s parental rights alleged that termination was
appropriate pursuant to § 43-292(2) because Michael had substantially and continuously or
repeatedly neglected and refused to give Emilee necessary parental care and protection and
§ 43-292(4) because Michael is unfit by reason of debauchery, habitual use of intoxicating liquor
or narcotic drugs, and/or repeated lewd and lascivious behavior, and such conduct is seriously
detrimental to the health, morals, or well-being of Emilee. In addition, the motion alleged that
termination of Michael’s parental rights was in Emilee’s best interests. At the time the State filed
its supplemental petition and the motion to terminate parental rights, Michael remained
incarcerated.
On October 18, 2012, a hearing on the State’s petition and motion to terminate Michael’s
parental rights began. The hearing continued on December 4. While we have reviewed the
evidence presented at the hearing in its entirety, we do not set forth the specifics of the testimony
and exhibits here. Rather, we will set forth specific facts as presented at the hearing as necessary
in our analysis below. We do note that at the time the termination hearing concluded in
December 2012, Michael remained incarcerated.
At the conclusion of the termination hearing, the juvenile court entered a detailed order
adjudicating Emilee as a child within the meaning of § 43-247(3)(a) and terminating Michael’s
parental rights to Emilee. The court found that the State had proven that termination of Michael’s
parental rights was warranted pursuant to § 43-292(2) and (4) and that termination was in
Emilee’s best interests.
Michael appeals from the juvenile court’s order.
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III. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
On appeal, Michael challenges the juvenile court’s finding that his parental rights should
be terminated pursuant to § 43-292(2) and (4) and that termination of his parental rights is in
Emilee’s best interests.
IV. ANALYSIS
1. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Juvenile cases are reviewed de novo on the record, and an appellate court is required to
reach a conclusion independent of the juvenile court’s findings. In re Interest of Jagger L., 270
Neb. 828, 708 N.W.2d 802 (2006). When the evidence is in conflict, however, an appellate court
may give weight to the fact that the lower court observed the witnesses and accepted one version
of the facts over the other. Id.For a juvenile court to terminate parental rights under § 43-292, it must find that one or
more of the statutory grounds listed in this section have been satisfied and that termination is in
the child’s best interests. See In re Interest of Jagger L., supra. The State must prove these facts
by clear and convincing evidence. Id. Clear and convincing evidence is that amount of evidence
which produces in the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction about the existence of the fact to be
proven. Id.
2. STATUTORY GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION
Michael assigns as error the juvenile court’s finding that the State presented clear and
convincing evidence to prove the statutory grounds for termination of his parental rights.
Specifically, he challenges the juvenile court’s determination that termination of his parental
rights was warranted pursuant to § 43-292(2) and (4). Upon our de novo review of the record, we
find that the State presented clear and convincing evidence to prove that termination was
warranted pursuant to § 43-292(2). As such, we need not specifically address the juvenile court’s
determination as to § 43-292(4).
Section 43-292(2) provides that a court may terminate parental rights when “[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.” The evidence presented at the
termination hearing revealed that Michael has failed to provide Emilee with any parental care or
protection for some time.
At the time of the termination hearing, Michael was incarcerated and, as a result, was
simply unable to provide Emilee with such basic necessities as housing and food. Michael has
also not been able to tend to Emilee’s daily needs or provide any emotional support. It is not
entirely clear from the record when Michael will be released from prison or whether he will even
be in a position to have contact with Emilee immediately after his release. The Nebraska
Supreme Court has recognized that in termination of parental rights cases, it is proper to consider
a parent’s inability to perform his or her parental obligations because of imprisonment. In re
Interest of Kalie W., 258 Neb. 46, 601 N.W.2d 753 (1999). A parent’s incarceration may be
considered along with other factors in determining whether parental rights can be terminated
based on neglect. Id.-4-
Michael’s current incarceration is due to his failure to abide by the terms of his probation.
The evidence presented at the hearing demonstrates that many of Michael’s violations of his
probation, including testing positive for the use of methamphetamines, failing to report for
required drug testing, and failing to keep in contact with his probation officer, occurred after the
beginning of these juvenile court proceedings. This evidence indicates that Michael engaged in
inappropriate and illegal behavior even after he knew that Emilee had been removed from
Josey’s care and was in the custody of the State. And, Michael’s current incarceration does not
appear to be an isolated occurrence, but, rather, is part of a history of law violations which stem
from his drug use. The evidence presented at the termination hearing reveals that Michael
struggles to remain sober and to stay out of trouble when he is in the community. Michael’s
actions directly affect his ability to be a parent to Emilee.
Prior to Michael’s most recent incarceration, he made no efforts to retain any sort of
relationship with Emilee or to provide for her in any way. Michael was granted visitation time
with Emilee beginning in October 2011. Michael visited with Emilee approximately five times
and then he stopped attending altogether with little explanation for his decision. Michael has not
seen Emilee since the end of October 2011.
Michael has never financially provided for Emilee. There was evidence that Michael’s
family has provided money for Emilee’s care, but that he has never contributed any significant
amount of money for her basic necessities or her medical care. In fact, Michael testified that he
did not pay any child support for Emilee during these juvenile court proceedings because, “I
didn’t feel that was necessary.” Prior to his incarceration, Michael did not have stable housing
and did not have steady employment.
Michael’s participation in the juvenile court proceedings was suspended in January 2012
after the court discovered that he had not undergone formal paternity testing. Such testing was
made available to Michael, but he did not immediately submit to a test. In fact, Michael chose
not to submit to paternity testing until after he was incarcerated. At this point in time, however,
Michael’s ability to participate in the juvenile court proceedings was hindered due to his
unavailability.
In its January 2013 order, the juvenile court summarized the evidence presented at the
termination hearing as follows:
Despite [Michael’s] knowledge of [Emilee’s] out-of-home placement, as well as Emilee’s
mother’s absence from her life, [Michael] has failed to put himself in a position to
provide a stable home and parental care for her. He has on more than one occasion in the
last two years engaged in conduct which has resulted in his removal from the community
and her life. [Michael] was afforded the opportunity in January of 2011 to demonstrate
that once out of the confines of incarceration he would make better choices and place his
daughter’s needs above his own. Within months, he was using alcohol and controlled
substances again and neglecting his daughter’s need for a sober and committed parent.
[Michael] has a number of excuses for his choices over the last five years and has taken
minimal responsibility to date for the difficult situation his daughter has been placed in
through no fault of her own.
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Upon our de novo review of the record, we conclude that the juvenile court’s statements
are an accurate summary of the evidence presented at the termination hearing. Given the
evidence presented, it is clear that Michael has substantially and continuously or repeatedly
neglected and refused to give Emilee necessary parental care and protection pursuant to
§ 43-292(2). Accordingly, we find that the juvenile court did not err in finding that termination
of Michael’s parental rights was warranted pursuant to § 43-292(2). Because we find that
termination of Michael’s parental rights was warranted pursuant to § 43-292(2), we decline to
address whether termination of his rights was also warranted pursuant to § 43-292(4).
3. BEST INTERESTS OF CHILD
Michael also assigns as error the juvenile court’s finding that termination of his parental
rights is in Emilee’s best interests. Specifically, he alleges that the evidence presented at the
termination hearing revealed that he has demonstrated improvement in his circumstances and in
his parenting skills and that he should be provided with more time to work toward reunification
with Emilee. Michael also alleges that he and his family have a strong bond with Emilee. Upon
our de novo review of the record, we find sufficient evidence to conclude that termination of
Michael’s parental rights was in Emilee’s best interests. We affirm.
At the termination hearing, Michael testified that he had made improvements to his
lifestyle and that he wished to be a part of Emilee’s life. Michael indicated that he was
completing a drug treatment program while incarcerated and that he had abstained from using
any illegal drugs while in prison. Michael also indicated that he had completed a parenting class
during his incarceration. Michael stated that he was striving “to be better” so that he could
remain a part of Emilee’s life. There was some evidence that Michael could be released from
prison as early as March 2013, but this release date was contingent on Michael’s successfully
completing his drug treatment program and moving into a transitional living house. Emilee
would be permitted to visit Michael at the transitional living house.
We first note that we applaud Michael’s efforts to enroll in and complete a drug treatment
program and a parenting class. However, when we consider Michael’s efforts during his latest
incarceration alongside his efforts during the duration of these juvenile court proceedings, we
conclude that Michael has simply not made significant progress toward reunification with
Emilee.
Michael’s efforts to complete the drug treatment program while incarcerated are only the
first steps in becoming a sober and stable parent. There was evidence presented that Michael has
a “moderate” risk of relapsing and starting to use controlled substances again once released from
the drug treatment program. In addition, there was evidence that Michael would have to seek
additional substance abuse treatment after his release from prison. As we discussed above,
Michael has a history of resuming his drug use after a period of incarceration. Remaining drug
free outside of prison is arguably very different than remaining drug free while incarcerated. Due
to Michael’s history of drug use outside of prison, he would have to demonstrate his ability to
sustain his sobriety for a period of time prior to achieving any kind of reunification with Emilee.
Moreover, Michael will not be employed upon his release from prison. He will not have
safe and stable housing. Michael testified that he may be released from prison early to reside in
transitional housing. This environment clearly would not be appropriate for a child. And, it is not
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clear how long Michael would remain in the transitional housing or where he would go after
leaving that residence.
Contrary to Michael’s suggestions, he does not have a strong bond with Emilee. He has
not even seen Emilee since October 2011 when he chose to stop attending visitations with her.
Michael has not stayed in contact with Emilee, nor has Emilee received any cards or gifts from
Michael. Emilee does not ever ask about Michael, and she has expressed a desire not to see him.
In fact, when Emilee overheard a conversation about having to see Michael, she began to cry.
While Michael expressed a strong desire to have a relationship with Emilee, he did not ever
indicate that he desires to be a full-time parent to her. Instead, our reading of Michael’s
testimony suggests that Michael would like to have visitation with Emilee and see her whenever
it is convenient for him. Emilee needs, and deserves, more permanency than this type of
relationship will provide for her.
Emilee does have a relationship with Michael’s family, and there was evidence that
Emilee’s foster parents would facilitate Emilee’s relationship with her paternal grandparents and
great-grandparents even if Michael’s parental rights were terminated.
Taken as a whole, the evidence presented at the termination hearing revealed that despite
Michael’s desire to be reunited with Emilee, he is simply not ready or able to be an effective
parent. When a parent is unable or unwilling to rehabilitate himself or herself within a reasonable
period of time, the child’s best interests require termination of parental rights. In re Interest of
Walter W., 274 Neb. 859, 744 N.W.2d 55 (2008). Children cannot, and should not, be suspended
in foster care or be made to await uncertain parental maturity. Id.By the time the termination hearing concluded in December 2012, Emilee had been in an
out-of-home placement for more than 15 months. Emilee deserves a permanent and stable home
environment, which Michael has demonstrated he is unable to provide. We conclude that
termination of Michael’s parental rights is in Emilee’s best interests. We affirm the order of the
juvenile court terminating Michael’s parental rights to Emilee.
V. CONCLUSION
Upon our de novo review of the record, we find that the State presented sufficient
evidence to warrant termination of Michael’s parental rights. As such, we affirm the order of the
juvenile court terminating his parental rights to Emilee.
AFFIRMED.
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