In re Interest of Kurstin B. & Austin B. ( 2018 )


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  •                          IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS
    MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
    (Memorandum Web Opinion)
    IN RE INTEREST OF KURSTIN B. & AUSTIN B.
    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 KURSTIN B. AND AUSTIN B., CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE.
    STATE OF NEBRASKA, APPELLEE,
    V.
    JANA B., APPELLANT.
    Filed November 27, 2018.        Nos. A-18-357, A-18-358.
    Appeals from the County Court for Scotts Bluff County: JAMES M. WORDEN, Judge.
    Affirmed.
    Darin J. Knepper, Deputy Scotts Bluff County Public Defender, for appellant.
    No appearance for appellee.
    MOORE, Chief Judge, and RIEDMANN and WELCH, Judges.
    RIEDMANN, Judge.
    INTRODUCTION
    Jana B. appeals from the decision of the county court for Scotts Bluff County, sitting as a
    juvenile court, adjudicating her minor children, Kurstin B. and Austin B., under Neb. Rev. Stat.
    § 43-247(3)(a) (Reissue 2016), and terminating her parental rights to her children. After our de
    novo review of the record, we affirm.
    BACKGROUND
    Jana is the mother of Kurstin, born in May 2001, and Austin, born in August 2003. The
    children were removed from their home, where they lived with Jana and their father, Brian B., on
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    December 15, 2017, following an incident that occurred on December 12. On December 12,
    Officer Andrew Soucie of the Scottsbluff Police Department responded to a call for help from
    Jana’s home. Kurstin and Austin were present at the home when Soucie arrived. The children saw
    Jana take an unknown number of antidepressant pills and observed her acting erratically. When
    Soucie made contact with Jana she was irate and incomprehensible. Jana made several references
    to a friend who had committed suicide and “she understood why she did it.” Additionally, Austin
    indicated that Jana became physically violent with him, striking him in the face and slamming a
    door on him. Jana was taken into emergency protective custody and was transported to a local
    hospital.
    Following their removal, the children were placed with their older sister in Geneva. The
    State subsequently filed a petition seeking to adjudicate the children under § 43-247(3)(a), and to
    terminate Jana and Brian’s parental rights to the children. The petition alleged that Jana neglected
    or refused to provide proper or necessary subsistence, education, or other care necessary for the
    health, morals, or well-being of the children, and that the children lacked proper parental care by
    reason of the faults or habits of Jana. It further alleged that Brian failed to protect the children. The
    State sought termination of Jana’s parental rights under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-292(2) and (5)
    (Reissue 2016) and of Brian’s parental rights under § 43-292(2). A guardian ad litem was
    appointed for the children and for Jana. A joint adjudication and termination hearing was held
    approximately 3 months after that pleading was filed. Although the State sought termination of
    Brian’s parental rights, the juvenile court found that it was not in the children’s best interests to do
    so; therefore, Brian’s interests are not at issue in this appeal and he will be discussed only as
    necessary to address Jana’s arguments.
    At the joint hearing, the State presented evidence from numerous law enforcement officers
    who had contact with Jana in the 2 years preceding the hearing. Officer Chris Calvert testified that
    in June 2016, he was called to Jana’s residence in reference to Jana “being out of control and
    throwing things.” The call was made by one of the children’s friends. Calvert was familiar with
    Jana from having “dealt with her many times on previous calls.” When Calvert arrived, he was
    advised by Brian that Jana had sprayed him in the face with Scotchgard and threatened to shoot
    him and gouge out his eyes. This incident occurred in front of Austin and another minor. When
    Calvert arrived, Jana was “very animated and agitated” and was unable to have a focused
    conversation. As a result of Jana’s threats, she was taken into emergency protective custody.
    Corporal Mathew Broderick testified that in September 2016, Jana was in a van with
    Kurstin and three other minors at 2 a.m. After being pulled over, Jana indicated to Broderick that
    she was teaching one of the minors how to drive. Broderick smelled alcohol coming from the van
    and two of the minors tested positive for alcohol. Broderick testified that he has had numerous
    police contacts with Jana concerning her mental health status and substance abuse issues.
    Two additional law enforcement officers testified about contacts they had with Jana in
    2016 due to her driving erratically or under the influence. On one such occasion, Jana had followed
    an ambulance and when it pulled into a parking lot, she stopped behind it. Based on the emergency
    medical technicians’ contact with her, they contacted police. When the law enforcement officer
    arrive, Jana was “mumbling and was weepy and wasn’t stating things that were making a lot of
    sense.” When asked about her mental health, she responded that “she exists” and claimed that she
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    “had nothing left to lose.” Based upon his contact with Jana, the officer took her into emergency
    protective custody and she was admitted to the behavioral health unit at a local hospital.
    Another law enforcement officer testified to a December 2016 incident in which Jana was
    driving a car with multiple minors, and one minor, age 15, had to take over driving the vehicle due
    to her fear that Jana was under the influence of drugs. After the minor took over, she went off the
    road and jumped over the railroad tracks. The minors then left Jana with the vehicle and the police
    arrived.
    Finally, Officer Dominick Peterson testified that on April 15, 2017, he responded to a call
    from Jana’s residence after a visitor to the home became concerned about her safety. Peterson
    found Jana sobbing on her front porch. Peterson could not communicate with Jana due to her erratic
    behavior and testified that Jana stated “there was not much life to live anymore.” Following this,
    Peterson took Jana into emergency protective custody and transported her to the hospital. While
    en route, Jana asked Peterson to “use [his] gun” and stated “life isn’t worth living.”
    In addition to testimony from law enforcement officers, the State presented testimony from
    witnesses who offered help and support to Jana, Brian, and the children. A social worker who
    worked at Citrus House, a program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, testified
    that she has been involved with Jana over the last 2 years and that Jana refused to cooperate with
    Citrus House, or any treatment facility that Brian attempted to arrange for her, nor would Jana take
    her prescribed medications.
    Cheryl Phinney, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, provided treatment for Jana on numerous
    occasions when she was admitted to the hospital under emergency protective custody. Phinney
    testified that Jana had admissions in June and September 2016 and in April and December 2017.
    On several occasions, she was discharged from the behavioral health unit at the hospital to the
    Lincoln Regional Center. According to Phinney, Jana has a long history of schizoaffective
    disorder, bipolar type. As a result of this condition, Jana has delusions, she experiences psychosis,
    and she has mood swings between mania, where she does not sleep for days at a time, and intense
    depression. Phinney opined that, while Jana’s condition is treatable with medication, Jana does not
    believe she needs medications and does not cooperate with any treatment. Phinney further testified
    that Jana receives medication when she is admitted to the hospital, but she only takes the
    medication because she knows that she must do so to be released, and does not continue her
    treatment once she is discharged. It also appeared to Phinney that without medication, Jana’s
    condition is worsening and her delusions have become more fixed and long-lasting. According to
    Phinney, Jana may be becoming medication resistant, which occurs when a patient fails to take
    medication consistently, but rather, takes medication once and then moves on. As a result, Jana
    fails to recover as well from each subsequent episode.
    A child and family service specialist for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human
    Services (DHHS) testified as to the services offered to the family. She relayed that she discussed
    medication management and a possible mental health facility for Jana but Jana was not receptive
    to those recommendations. She has attempted many conversations with Jana, but Jana is obsessed
    with off-topic conversation including past murders, terroristic law enforcement, and feelings of
    alienation and discrimination. According to the DHHS worker, Brian reports that Kurstin and
    Austin do not want to be around Jana and find her “annoying.” Although Brian was having
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    visitation with the children, Jana has not participated stating “someone has to stay home with the
    dog.”
    The DHHS specialist opined that “due to [Jana] not addressing her mental health
    appropriately and not even admitting that she even has mental health needs places the children
    under stress.” As a result, she concluded that “if the children were to be returned to their parents’
    care that they would be placed back at risk into an unstable, unsafe environment with potential for
    continued harm of the children’s safety and well-being.” It was her recommendation that Jana’s
    parental rights be terminated.
    The evidence further showed that Jana had no role in the house, with Brian assuming all
    parenting responsibilities. Likewise, Jana has not held a job outside of the home during the
    pendency of the case. It was also established that Jana would stay up all night, often screaming
    about past events, primarily past murders and police conspiracies, which would keep Kurstin and
    Austin awake, and prevented Jana from having a beneficial relationship with the children.
    Both Kurstin and Austin were on probation for truancy in the months leading up to their
    removal from the home. Their probation officers testified that Jana’s erratic behavior played a
    significant role in the children’s behavior. The probation officers also testified that the children’s
    behavior improved while Jana was out of the house, or while the children were in foster care.
    However, when Jana returned to the home, the children would become upset again.
    Jana did not have any visitations with Kurstin and Austin after they were removed from
    the home, nor did she attend the termination hearing. Jana continued to refuse to acknowledge her
    mental health concerns, and has not received adequate treatment for her mental illness.
    The State also presented evidence that the children were previously adjudicated under
    § 43-247(3)(a) in April 2017, due to Jana’s unaddressed mental health issues and were placed in
    foster care for 1 month. During this time, Jana was committed to a mental health facility by order
    of the mental health board and was out of the house. Prior to her commitment, Jana routinely made
    suicidal comments in front of the children, including asking Kurstin for the car keys so that “she
    could park on the railroad tracks.” Additionally she would frequently threaten to sign away her
    parental rights, often in front of the children.
    Following the hearing, the juvenile court adjudicated the children under § 43-247(3)(a),
    finding that the State met its burden by showing that Jana’s refusal to address her mental health
    placed the children at a risk of harm and deprived them of necessary parental care. The juvenile
    court additionally terminated Jana’s parental rights to Kurstin and Austin, finding that the State
    proved by clear and convincing evidence that § 43-292(2) and (5) applied, and that terminating
    Jana’s parental rights was in the children’s best interests. Jana timely appealed the juvenile court’s
    order.
    ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
    Jana assigns, summarized, restated, and renumbered, that the juvenile court erred (1) in
    adjudicating the children under § 43-247(3)(a), (2) in finding sufficient evidence to support
    termination of her parental rights under § 43-292(2) and (5), and (3) in finding termination was in
    the best interests of the children.
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    STANDARD OF REVIEW
    An appellate court reviews juvenile cases de novo on the record and reaches conclusions
    independently of the juvenile court’s findings. In re Interest of Noah B. et al., 
    295 Neb. 764
    , 
    891 N.W.2d 109
    (2017). When the evidence is in conflict, an appellate court may give weight to the
    fact that the lower court observed the witnesses and accepted one version of facts over the other.
    In re Interest of LeVanta S., 
    295 Neb. 151
    , 
    887 N.W.2d 502
    (2016). Clear and convincing evidence
    means and is that amount of evidence which produces in the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction
    about the existence of a fact to be proved. Further, clear and convincing evidence is more than a
    preponderance of evidence, but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Interest of
    Brettany M. et al., 
    11 Neb. Ct. App. 104
    , 
    644 N.W.2d 574
    (2002).
    ANALYSIS
    Adjudication Under § 43-247(3)(a).
    Jana argues that there was insufficient evidence for the juvenile court to adjudicate Kurstin
    and Austin under § 43-247(3)(a). We disagree.
    Section 43-247(3)(a) provides that the juvenile court in each county shall have jurisdiction
    of any juvenile whose parent neglects or refuses to provide proper or necessary subsistence,
    education, or other care necessary for the health and well-being of the juvenile. At the adjudication
    stage, in order for a juvenile court to assume jurisdiction of minor children under § 43-247(3)(a),
    the State must prove the allegations of the petition by a preponderance of the evidence. In re
    Interest of Anaya, 
    276 Neb. 825
    , 
    758 N.W.2d 10
    (2008). While the State need not prove that the
    juvenile has actually suffered physical harm, at a minimum, the State must establish that without
    intervention, there is a definite risk of future harm. 
    Id. Jana’s argument
    that there was insufficient evidence to adjudicate Kurstin and Austin under
    § 43-247(3)(a) fails for multiple reasons. First, the State presented sufficient evidence that Kurstin
    and Austin were previously adjudicated under § 43-247(3)(a). At the joint hearing, multiple
    witnesses testified that Kurstin and Austin were previously adjudicated in April 2017 due to Jana’s
    unaddressed mental health issues. Jana did not present any evidence rebutting this testimony. Thus,
    there was sufficient evidence that the children were previously adjudicated under § 43-247(3)(a).
    Regardless of whether there had been a previous adjudication, the State presented sufficient
    evidence to support an adjudication on March 15, 2018, the date of the combined adjudication and
    termination hearing. The State sought both an adjudication and termination in its pleading filed in
    December 2017. At the March 2018 hearing, the State proved that the children witnessed Jana take
    an unknown number of antidepressant pills, heard her threaten to commit suicide multiple times,
    and Jana became physically violent with Austin, scratching him in the face. The State alleged, and
    the juvenile court agreed, that Jana’s untreated mental health issues placed the children at risk of
    harm.
    Moreover, Jana’s argument that the children were not adjudicated under § 43-247(3)(a)
    prior to the State’s petition for termination of her parental rights is meritless under established
    Nebraska law. The Nebraska Supreme Court has held that it is not necessary to adjudicate a child
    as a juvenile under the Nebraska Juvenile Code prior to the termination of parental rights under
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    § 43-295(5). In re Interest of Joshua M. et al., 
    256 Neb. 596
    , 
    591 N.W.2d 557
    (1999). The juvenile
    court acquires jurisdiction of a case for termination of parental rights in an original action under
    the Nebraska Juvenile Code, which includes a motion for termination of parental rights. In re
    Interest of Joshua M. et 
    al., supra
    . Thus, Jana’s argument that Kurstin and Austin were not
    previously adjudicated under § 43-247(3)(a) is neither accurate nor relevant because the juvenile
    court gained jurisdiction over them as a result of the State’s motion to terminate Jana’s parental
    rights under subsection (5).
    Statutory Grounds for Termination.
    Jana assigns that the juvenile court erred in finding sufficient statutory grounds to terminate
    her parental rights. She particularly argues that it was inconsistent to find her mentally ill under
    § 43-292(5) yet have the requisite intent to knowingly refuse to give necessary parental care and
    protection under § 43-292(2). As a result, she claims the State failed to prove sufficient statutory
    grounds for termination. We disagree.
    For a court to terminate parental rights, it must find that one or more of the statutory
    grounds listed in § 43-292 have been satisfied, and that such termination is in the children’s best
    interest. In re Interest of Xavier H., 
    274 Neb. 331
    , 
    740 N.W.2d 13
    (2007). The State must prove
    these facts by clear and convincing evidence. 
    Id. Here, the
    juvenile court found sufficient evidence
    to terminate Jana’s parental rights to the children under § 43-292(2) and (5). Section 43-292(2)
    allows termination of parental rights when the parents have substantially and continuously or
    repeatedly neglected and refused to give the juvenile necessary parental care and protection.
    Subsection (5) allows termination when the parents are unable to discharge parental
    responsibilities because of mental illness or mental deficiency and there are reasonable grounds to
    believe that such condition will continue for a prolonged indeterminate period.
    Nebraska appellate courts have found that mental illnesses and deficiencies that prevent a
    parent from performing daily tasks and routine parental duties are grounds for termination of
    parental rights under § 43-292(5). See In re Interest of Marcus W. et al., 
    11 Neb. Ct. App. 313
    , 
    649 N.W.2d 899
    (2002) (holding that mother who had frontal lobe impairment, generalized anxiety
    disorder, and mood disorder would need assistance for daily living activities, and therefore
    termination was appropriate under § 43-292(5)). See, also, In re Interest of C.A.A. and V.S.A., 
    229 Neb. 135
    , 
    425 N.W.2d 621
    (1988). Additionally, the Supreme Court has held that a mother with a
    severe mental health disorder, coupled with her failure to consistently take required medication,
    allowed for termination of her parental rights under § 43-292(5). See In re Interest of Nicole M.,
    
    287 Neb. 685
    , 
    844 N.W.2d 65
    (2014).
    Contrary to Jana’s arguments, § 43-292(5) does not require that a mental illness or
    deficiency render a parent totally incompetent. The plain language of § 43-292(5) indicates that
    the mental illness or mental deficiency must only render a parent unable to discharge his or her
    parental responsibilities, it does not have to render the parent completely incompetent. See In re
    Interest of Holley, 
    209 Neb. 437
    , 
    308 N.W.2d 341
    (1981). The Supreme Court has held that
    personality disorders which prevent a parent from profiting from instruction and acquiring
    parenting skills is a sufficient mental deficiency under § 43-292(5). See, In re Interest of Natasha
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    H. & Sierra H., 
    258 Neb. 131
    , 
    602 N.W.2d 439
    (1999); In re Interest of D.L.S., 
    230 Neb. 435
    , 
    432 N.W.2d 31
    (1988).
    The State presented evidence demonstrating that Jana’s mental illness prevented her from
    performing her parental responsibilities. This evidence was sufficient to proceed under subsection
    (5) if the evidence also supported a finding that there were reasonable grounds to believe that such
    condition would continue for a prolonged indeterminate period. Such findings are not inconsistent
    with a determination that Jana also substantially and continuously or repeatedly neglected and
    refused to give the children necessary parental care and protection. We therefore reject Jana’s
    argument that a finding of mental illness or mental deficiency under subsection (5) is inconsistent
    with a termination based also on subsection (2). However, because only one statutory ground for
    termination need to be proved in order for parental rights to be terminated, we need not discuss
    whether there was sufficient evidence to terminate under subsection (2) because the evidence was
    sufficient to do so under subsection (5), as explained below. See In re Interest of Kendra M. et al.,
    
    283 Neb. 1014
    , 
    814 N.W.2d 747
    (2012).
    In the present case, the record reveals that Jana has a severe mental illness which renders
    her unable to effectively parent Kurstin and Austin. Jana was diagnosed with schizoaffective
    disorder, bipolar type, and has symptoms including delusions, mood swings between mania, where
    she does not sleep for days at a time, and intense depression, as well as psychosis. Jana’s mental
    illness prevented her from discharging her parental responsibilities, as Jana’s husband performed
    all parenting duties, including waking Kurstin and Austin up in the morning, making sure they got
    to school, and providing meals for them. Additionally, Jana often would stay up all night, making
    loud noises which kept the children awake, and often became fixated on past murders, where she
    was unable to speak of anything else. This behavior not only prevented Jana from carrying out her
    responsibilities as a parent, but it also prevented her from having a beneficial relationship with the
    children.
    Moreover, the juvenile court was correct in finding that there were reasonable grounds to
    believe that Jana’s mental illness would continue for a prolonged period of time. Jana does not
    recognize that she has a mental illness, and does not cooperate with any attempts at treatment.
    Further, Jana does not take any medications prescribed to her. Although Jana argues that the State
    did not provide enough time for her to demonstrate an inability or refusal to receive treatment, the
    record does not support this position. Phinney testified that although Jana’s disorder is treatable
    with antipsychotic and antidepressant medicine, Jana has resisted every treatment effort for the
    last 2 years. On the occasions that Jana would take medication, such as when she was involuntary
    admitted to the hospital, she would only do so in order to be released, and would not continue with
    the medication once she was released from the hospital.
    We recognize that a 3-month time period from the date of filing the termination petition to
    the date of the termination hearing itself is a very short time, but the evidence reveals Jana’s mental
    health problems date back to at least 2016. A court is not prohibited from considering prior events
    when determining whether to terminate parental rights. In re Interest of Hope L. et al., 
    278 Neb. 869
    , 
    775 N.W.2d 384
    (2009). Whether the mother recognizes her mental health issues and whether
    she responds to treatment are both highly relevant to whether it is in the best interests of the
    children that the mother’s parental rights be terminated. 
    Id. See, also,
    In re Interest of Natasha H.
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    & Sierra 
    H., supra
    (holding that termination of mother’s parental rights was appropriate where
    mother continually returned to abusive partner and showed limited ability to address her mental
    health concerns).
    The record is clear that Jana has consistently refused treatment or medications for her
    mental health since at least 2016. Further, Jana refuses to even acknowledge her mental disorder.
    At the joint hearing, Jana presented no evidence or testimony indicating it was likely that she
    would begin treatment for her mental illness, thus, making it likely that her mental illness will
    continue for a prolonged period of time.
    Most troubling regarding Jana’s mental health is Phinney’s testimony that Jana’s delusions
    are becoming more fixed, and Jana does not improve or recover between delusions. Additionally,
    Jana may be becoming medication resistant, due to her failure to take her medication consistently.
    Therefore, even if Jana were to become compliant with her medications, there are reasonable
    grounds to believe that her mental illness will persist indeterminately, in spite of medication.
    Based on our de novo review of the record, we conclude that the State produced clear and
    convincing evidence to support terminating Jana’s parental rights under § 43-292(5). We therefore
    turn to an analysis of the children’s best interests.
    Best Interests.
    Jana argues that the juvenile court erred in finding that it was in Kurstin and Austin’s best
    interests to terminate Jana’s parental rights. We disagree.
    In addition to proving a statutory ground, the State must also show that termination of
    parental rights is in the best interests of the children. In re Interest of Jahon S., 
    291 Neb. 97
    , 
    864 N.W.2d 228
    (2015). A parent’s right to raise his or her child is constitutionally protected.
    Therefore, before a court may terminate parental rights, the State must show that the parent is unfit.
    
    Id. There is
    a rebuttable presumption that the best interests of the child are served by having a
    relationship with his or her parent. Based on the idea that fit parents act in the best interests of their
    children, this presumption is overcome only when the State has proved that the parent is unfit. 
    Id. In the
    context of the constitutionally protected relationship between a parent and a child, parental
    unfitness means a personal deficiency or incapacity which has prevented, or will probably prevent,
    performance of a reasonable parental obligation in child rearing and which caused, or probably
    will result in, detriment to the child’s well-being. 
    Id. The best
    interests analysis and the parental
    fitness analysis are fact-intensive inquiries, and while they are separate, each examines essentially
    the same underlying facts. 
    Id. Here, the
    State presented sufficient evidence demonstrating that Jana was unfit to care for
    Kurstin and Austin, and was unwilling to receive treatment to effectively manage her mental
    health. Witnesses testified that Jana had Kurstin and other minors out past 2 a.m. and was in a
    vehicle while alcohol was present, and on another occasion, operated a vehicle with minors in the
    vehicle while under the influence of drugs, thus, endangering everyone in the vehicle. The record
    also reveals that on numerous occasions law enforcement officers were called to Jana’s residence
    due to threats that she made against her husband or herself. Multiple times these threats led to Jana
    being placed in emergency protective custody and involuntarily admitted to the hospital for
    expressing suicidal thoughts. Kurstin and Austin were often present during these incidents and
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    often witnessed Jana threaten to harm herself. Jana’s proclivity to place the children in harm’s
    way, either through her actions or threats, is detrimental to their best interests.
    Moreover, Jana’s behavior while at the home was detrimental to the children’s well-being.
    Both Kurstin and Austin were placed on probation for truancy while Jana was at the home.
    Witnesses testified that Jana’s habit of staying up all night, and thus keeping the children awake,
    played a part in the children’s inability to attend school. The State produced testimony indicating
    that during the periods that Jana was hospitalized and out of the house, both Kurstin and Austin’s
    behavior improved. Further, there were concerns that Kurstin was beginning to adopt some of
    Jana’s behavior and Kurstin would act out more when Jana was around.
    Upon our de novo review of the record, it is clear that terminating Jana’s parental rights is
    in Kurstin and Austin’s best interests. Jana routinely placed her own children, and other minors,
    in harm’s way. Further, Jana’s erratic behavior while at home negatively affected the children, and
    many of the behavioral issues demonstrated by Kurstin and Austin are attributable to Jana’s
    behavior. Importantly, the children demonstrated improvement when they were placed outside of
    the home or Jana was not present. Finally, Jana has refused to even acknowledge that she has
    mental health issues, thus, preventing anyone from helping her. When a parent is unable or
    unwilling to rehabilitate herself within a reasonable time, the child’s best interests require
    termination of parental rights. In re Interest of Shane L. et al., 
    21 Neb. Ct. App. 591
    , 
    842 N.W.2d 140
    (2013).
    Jana argues that given the children’s ages, Kurstin was 17 and Austin was nearly 15 at the
    time of the hearing, the “loss of a parent might also have unintended negative consequences.” Brief
    for appellant at 13. Given the facts of this case, we disagree. We have an unusual situation in which
    Jana and Brian remained married and in the same home. Brian has been reluctant to divorce Jana
    or force her to leave, but the children have been out of the home since December 18, 2017. Kurstin
    testified:
    I am extremely close to my dad, and I - every time I talk about my dad I always want to
    cry, but without my dad I wouldn’t . . . have anything because he’s the only one that’s ever
    been there for me, and he’s the only one I can count on.
    Austin echoed Kurstin’s testimony that he, too, is “really close” to Brian and would choose
    to live with his dad if he could. Both children testified that Brian is the parent who actually parents
    them, not Jana. And neither child testified to a beneficial relationship with Jana. Brian recognizes
    Jana’s mental health issues and has sought help for her on multiple occasions, but she has been
    uncooperative. He acknowledged that he was willing to put the children first.
    Having found that it is in the best interests of the children to terminate Jana’s parental rights
    based upon the effect her mental health has on them, we further find, based on the evidence above,
    that a beneficial relationship does not exist between the children and Jana. We therefore conclude
    that it is in the best interests of the children to terminate Jana’s parental rights.
    CONCLUSION
    We conclude that the evidence was sufficient for the juvenile court to adjudicate the
    children under § 43-247(3)(a). Furthermore, the State presented clear and convincing evidence to
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    support the termination of Jana’s parental rights to Kurstin and Austin under § 43-292(5) and that
    termination was in the children’s best interests. We therefore affirm the order of the juvenile court.
    AFFIRMED.
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