SUMMARY: Evidence of a father’s failure to show an interest in his child or to put himself in a position to properly care for his child supported termination of parental rights.
In June 2012, the State filed an amended supplemental petition alleging Charles was the father to Alaina, DOB 10/18/2007, and had engaged in domestic violence, failed to protect Alaina from domestic violence, and Alaina was at risk of harm. Charles admitted to the allegations of the amended supplemental petition. On March 2, 2011, the State filed a motion to terminate Charles’s parental rights as to Alaina. At the hearing on the motion for termination, there was testimony that Charles showed disinterest in Alaina and refused to attend visitations with her on any day except Fridays. Observations of Charles’s interactions with Alaina at visitations indicated he did not hug her or showed any consistent interest in her.
The Nebraska Court of Appeals upheld the termination of parental rights as in Alaina’s best interests. The Court of Appeals observed Charles’ interest in Alaina “dissipated when it came time to invest the required time and effort to achieve” the goal of reunification (supra, pg. 8). It noted that Charles neglected Alaina by failing to put himself in a position to acquire possession of Alaina.