In re Interest of Kane L. & Carter L. ( 2018 )

Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library
www.nebraska.gov/apps-courts-epub/
06/08/2018 09:08 AM CDT
- 834 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
In re I nterest of
K ane L., a child
18 years of age.
under
State of Nebraska, appellee, v. A ngela L.,
appellant, and Scott L., appellee.
In re Interest of Carter L., a child
under 18 years of age.
State of Nebraska, appellant and cross-appellee,
v. A ngela L., appellee and cross-appellant.
___ N.W.2d ___
Filed May 4, 2018. Nos. S-17-720, S-17-775.
1. Juvenile Courts: Appeal and Error. An appellate court reviews juve-
nile cases de novo on the record and reaches a conclusion independently
of the juvenile court’s findings. 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.
2. Constitutional Law: Due Process. The determination of whether
the procedures afforded to an individual comport with constitutional
requirements for due process presents a question of law.
3. Trial: Evidence: Appeal and Error. An appellate court reviews the
trial court’s conclusions with regard to evidentiary foundation for an
abuse of discretion.
4. ____: ____: ____. Because authentication rulings are necessarily fact
specific, a trial court has discretion to determine whether evidence has
been properly authenticated. An appellate court reviews a trial court’s
ruling on authentication for abuse of discretion.
5. Parental Rights: Due Process. The fundamental liberty interest of natu-
ral parents in the care, custody, and management of their child is afforded
due process protection. Such due process rights include the right to be
free from an unreasonable delay in providing a parent a meaningful
hearing after the entry of an ex parte temporary custody order.
- 835 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
6. Criminal Law: Trial: Evidence. Where objects pass through several
hands before being produced in court, it is necessary to establish a com-
plete chain of evidence, tracing the possession of the object or article
to the final custodian; and if one link in the chain is missing, the object
may not be introduced in evidence.
7. ____: ____: ____. Objects which relate to or explain the issues or form
a part of a transaction are admissible in evidence only when duly identi-
fied and shown to be in substantially the same condition as at the time
in issue.
8. Trial: Evidence: Appeal and Error. Whether there is sufficient founda-
tion to admit physical evidence is determined on a case-by-case basis.
An appellate court’s review concerning the admissibility of such evi-
dence is for an abuse of discretion.
9. Parental Rights. The purpose of the adjudication phase is to protect the
interests of the child.
10. Juvenile Courts: Jurisdiction: Parental Rights: Proof. The Nebraska
Juvenile Code does not require the separate juvenile court to wait until
disaster has befallen a minor child before the court may acquire jurisdic-
tion. While the State need not prove that the child has actually suffered
physical harm, Nebraska case law is clear that at a minimum, the State
must establish that without intervention, there is a definite risk of future
harm. The State must prove such allegations by a preponderance of
the evidence.
Appeals from the County Court for Buffalo County: John
P. R ademacher, Judge. Judgment in No. S-17-720 affirmed.
Judgment in No. S-17-775 reversed, and cause remanded for
further proceedings.
Elizabeth J. Chrisp, of Jacobsen, Orr, Lindstrom & Holbrook,
P.C., L.L.O., for Angela L., appellant in No. S-17-720 and
appellee in No. S-17-775.
Mandi J. Amy, Deputy Buffalo County Attorney, for State
of Nebraska, appellee in No. S-17-720 and appellant in No.
S-17-775.
Vikki S. Stamm, of Stamm, Romero & Associates, P.C.,
L.L.O., guardian ad litem.
Heavican, C.J., Miller-Lerman, Cassel, Stacy, and Funke,
JJ., and Strong, District Judge.
- 836 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Heavican, C.J.
INTRODUCTION
Kane L. and Carter L. were removed from the family home
as a result of methamphetamine use by their mother, Angela
L., and their father, Scott L. The county court for Buffalo
County, sitting as a juvenile court, adjudicated Kane but not
Carter. In separate appeals, Angela challenged Kane’s adju-
dication and certain rulings of the juvenile court with respect
to the petition seeking to adjudicate Carter. The State, acting
through the Buffalo County Attorney’s office, appealed the
juvenile court’s failure to adjudicate Carter. We affirm the
juvenile court’s order adjudicating Kane and reverse the juve-
nile court’s order declining to adjudicate Carter, and remand
the cause for further proceedings.
BACKGROUND
Angela is the mother of Carter, born in September 2000, and
Kane, born in September 2008. Carter and Kane’s biological
father is Scott. Scott and Angela are also biological parents to
Lily L. Lily was 19 years old at the time of these proceedings.
As such, Lily is not involved in these juvenile court actions,
although placement of Kane and Carter was with her for a
period of time.
In January 2017, Angela gave birth to another boy. Scott
is not the biological father of this child. Angela sought to uti-
lize Nebraska’s “Safe Haven” law1 with regard to the baby;
this child’s placement is also not at issue in these juvenile
court actions.
Angela provided a urine sample at the time of her admission
to the hospital prior to the baby’s birth, and that sample tested
positive for drug use. Later, the baby’s “cord blood” tested
positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, “THC,” and oxy-
codone. Law enforcement was then contacted, because of the
following: Angela wished to relinquish the baby, the positive
1
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-121 (Reissue 2016).
- 837 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
drug screen, and the hospital social worker’s knowledge that
Angela had other children at home.
The Department of Health and Human Services and law
enforcement first contacted Angela. She admitted to using
methamphetamine and marijuana during her pregnancy, includ-
ing methamphetamine 3 to 4 days before giving birth and mari-
juana within a day or so of giving birth. Angela insisted that
she had never used drugs in the family home and that Scott did
not use methamphetamine. Angela declined to give permission
for Kane to submit to drug testing.
The Department of Health and Human Services and law
enforcement then made contact with Scott and Kane. At this
time, Carter was on juvenile probation and was at a juvenile
detention center. Scott denied methamphetamine use and, after
a few days, gave consent for Kane to be tested.
Toenail testing was done on Kane, and an initial positive
result for both THC and methamphetamine was returned. The
sample was insufficient to test further for the presence of
THC, but the presence of methamphetamine was confirmed
by a second test. The presence of methamphetamine, but not
amphetamine, suggests that Kane’s exposure was environmen-
tal in nature.
Scott was eventually tested. His saliva test was initially
returned as a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.
Scott indicated surprise at this result and stated that he had not
used methamphetamine in a week. Scott later indicated that
he had not used in the last 4 days. This presumptive positive
test was sent in for laboratory testing and eventually tested
negative. There was evidence in the record that the sample
was initially returned to the organization that gathered the
sample, because the wrong type of vial had been used, and
that the organization had to “buy new vials and put the saliva
into the vial and resend it.” Further testing was apparently not
sought at the time, because Scott had admitted to methamphet-
amine use.
- 838 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
As a result of the safety concerns presented by both Angela’s
and Scott’s use of methamphetamine, arrangements were made
to place Kane and Carter, who had just returned to the family
home, with Lily. The children were later moved to a placement
with their maternal grandparents.
The county filed a motion for temporary custody that was
granted ex parte on February 17, 2017. The petition to adjudi-
cate was filed on February 21—the next business day follow-
ing the Presidents Day court holiday. The record indicates that
at least Scott was present when Kane and Carter were removed.
The record further indicates that Scott and Angela had input
into the initial placement of the children with their oldest
daughter, Lily, and had visitation with the children throughout,
initially in the family home.
Over the next few days, before the first scheduled hear-
ing on March 8, 2017, counsel was appointed for Scott and
Angela. On March 1, both Scott and Angela filed answers,
through counsel, denying the allegations set forth in the peti-
tion to adjudicate.
While the first hearing was scheduled to be held March 8,
2017, it was actually held on March 1. The journal entry for
that hearing reflects that Scott and Angela were present with-
out counsel and were shown a rights advisory video. No bill
of exceptions for that hearing is in the record. A later journal
entry, entered June 21, indicated that a protective custody and
detention hearing had been scheduled for March 1 as well, but
that this hearing was waived by Scott’s and Angela’s respec-
tive counsel as counsel sought to conduct more discovery and
indicated Scott or Angela would motion for such a hearing if
it was desired.
Various motions were filed by all parties, and multiple
hearings were held in the time leading up to the first adjudica-
tion hearing held May 15, 2017, and eventual adjudication on
June 30. There is no bill of exceptions in the appellate record
for those hearings.
- 839 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Angela appeals from Kane’s adjudication. The county attor-
ney appeals and Angela cross-appeals from the order denying
the petition to adjudicate Carter. Scott filed a notice of appeal
from Kane’s adjudication, but did not further participate.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Appeal in Case No. S-17-720,
In re Interest of Kane L.
On appeal, Angela assigns that the juvenile court erred in
(1) not ordering a protective custody and detention hearing,
thus denying Angela due process; (2) admitting evidence of
the baby’s cord blood test and Kane’s toenail test, because the
county failed to establish a foundation for those results; and (3)
finding sufficient evidence to support adjudication.
Appeal in Case No. S-17-775,
In re Interest of Carter L.
On appeal, the county attorney assigns that the juvenile
court erred in not adjudicating Carter.
On cross-appeal, Angela assigns that the juvenile court
erred in (1) not ordering a protective custody and detention
hearing, thus denying Angela due process, and (2) admitting
evidence of the baby’s cord blood test and Kane’s toenail
test, because the county failed to establish foundation for
those results.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
[1] An appellate court reviews juvenile cases de novo on the
record and reaches a conclusion independently of the juvenile
court’s findings.2 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.3
2
In re Interest of Carmelo G., 296 Neb. 805, 896 N.W.2d 902 (2017).
3
In re Interest of LeVanta S., 295 Neb. 151, 887 N.W.2d 502 (2016).
- 840 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
[2] The determination of whether the procedures afforded
to an individual comport with constitutional requirements for
due process presents a question of law.4
[3] An appellate court reviews the trial court’s conclu-
sions with regard to evidentiary foundation for an abuse of
discretion.5
[4] Because authentication rulings are necessarily fact spe-
cific, a trial court has discretion to determine whether evidence
has been properly authenticated.6 An appellate court reviews a
trial court’s ruling on authentication for abuse of discretion.7
ANALYSIS
Pretrial Hearing.
Angela contends, on both appeal and cross-appeal, that her
due process rights were violated when a protective custody
and detention hearing was not held.
[5] The proper starting point for legal analysis when the
State involves itself in family relations is always the funda-
mental constitutional rights of a parent.8 The interest of parents
in the care, custody, and control of their children is perhaps
the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by
the U.S. Supreme Court.9 The fundamental liberty interest of
natural parents in the care, custody, and management of their
child is afforded due process protection.10 Such due proc­ess
rights include the right to be free from an unreasonable delay
in providing a parent a meaningful hearing after the entry of
an ex parte temporary custody order.11
4
In re Interest of Joseph S. et al., 288 Neb. 463, 849 N.W.2d 468 (2014).
5
Midland Properties v. Wells Fargo, 296 Neb. 407, 893 N.W.2d 460 (2017).
6
State v. Grant, 293 Neb. 163, 876 N.W.2d 639 (2016).
7
Id.
8
In re Interest of Carmelo G., supra note 2.
9
Id.
10
Id.
11
See id.
- 841 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-248(2) (Reissue 2016) allows the State
to take a juvenile into custody without a warrant or order of
the court when it appears the juvenile “is seriously endangered
in his or her surroundings and immediate removal appears
to be necessary for the juvenile’s protection.” However, the
parent retains a liberty interest in the continuous custody of
his or her child.12 An ex parte order authorizing temporary
custody with the Department of Health and Human Services
is permitted because of its short duration and the requirement
of further action by the State before custody can be contin-
ued.13 But “‘the State may not, in exercising its parens patriae
interest, unreasonably delay in notifying a parent that the
State has taken emergency action regarding that parent’s child
nor unreasonably delay in providing the parent a meaningful
hearing.’”14 Therefore, following the issuance of an ex parte
order for temporary immediate custody, “‘[a] prompt deten-
tion hearing is required in order to protect the parent against
the risk of an erroneous deprivation of his or her paren-
tal interests.’”15
In In re Interest of R.G.,16 we recognized that parents have
a due process right to be free from an unreasonable delay in
providing the parents a meaningful hearing after an ex parte
order for immediate custody is filed. We concluded that the
mother’s due process rights were not violated by a 14-day
delay between the entry of an ex parte order and that of a
detention order when she was given an opportunity to be
heard at the detention hearing and was allowed to visit her
children in the interim, but cautioned that this 14-day delay
12
Id.
13
Id.
14
Id. at 813-14, 896 N.W.2d at 908 (emphasis omitted).
15
Id. at 814, 896 N.W.2d at 908.
16
In re Interest of R.G., 238 Neb. 405, 470 N.W.2d 780 (1991), disapproved
on other grounds, O’Connor v. Kaufman, 255 Neb. 120, 582 N.W.2d 350
(1998).
- 842 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
between the ex parte order and detention hearing was “on the
brink of unreasonableness.”17
In In re Interest of Carmelo G.,18 we held that a delay of
8 months between an ex parte order and one following a
protective custody hearing violated a mother’s due process
rights, even though the mother met with her caseworker dur-
ing that time, was represented by counsel, and various hear-
ings were held and continuances granted with no objection by
her counsel.
In this case, the motion for temporary custody was granted
ex parte on February 17, 2017. The petition to adjudicate was
filed on February 21—the next business day following the
Presidents Day court holiday. The record shows that at least
Scott was present when Kane and Carter were removed and
that Scott and Angela had input into the initial placement of
the children with their oldest daughter, Lily, and had visitation
with the children throughout, initially in the family home.
Over the next few days before the first scheduled hearing on
March 8, 2017, counsel was appointed for Scott and Angela.
On March 1, both Scott and Angela filed answers through
counsel denying the allegations set forth in the petition to
adjudicate.
While the first hearing was scheduled for March 8, 2017, the
record shows that it was actually held on March 1. The jour-
nal entry for that hearing reflects that Scott and Angela were
present without counsel and shown a rights advisory video.
No bill of exceptions for that hearing is in the record. A later
journal entry, entered on June 21, indicated that a protective
custody and detention hearing had been scheduled for March
1 as well, but that it was waived by counsel, who sought to
conduct more discovery and would motion for such a hearing
if it was desired.
17
Id. at 423, 470 N.W.2d at 792.
18
In re Interest of Carmelo G., supra note 2.
- 843 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Various motions were filed by all parties and multiple
hearings held in the time leading up to the first adjudication
hearing on May 15, 2017, and eventual adjudication on June
30. There is no bill of exceptions in the record for those hear-
ings, but from the journal entries following those hearings, it
does not appear that detention or custody was at issue in any
of them.
On these facts, we find no due process violation. The record
shows that Angela was almost immediately appointed counsel
and that counsel entered a denial of the allegations in the peti-
tion within a few days of being appointed. A March 1, 2017,
journal entry indicates that Angela was informed of all of
her rights, including the right to the hearing she now argues
she did not receive. A later journal entry, entered on June 21,
indicates that Angela waived her right to such a hearing. There
is no indication from the record before us that Angela ever
sought any further hearing. Nor does Angela deny that the June
21 journal entry accurately sets forth the events surrounding
that March 1 hearing.
The cases cited by Angela in support of her conclusion that
she was denied due process are inapplicable. In In re Interest
of Carmelo G., the mother clearly sought a detention hearing,
and while one was held, it took approximately 7 months and
five separate hearings to receive all of the evidence, and an
additional 49 days for the court to issue its detention order fol-
lowing the receipt of evidence. In this case, the only evidence
in the record was that both Scott and Angela were offered a
detention hearing on March 1, 2017, but waived the hearing
and never sought another one. There is no merit to this assign-
ment of error.
Foundation for Cord Blood
and Toenail Tests.
Angela argues that the juvenile court erred in admitting
the results from the cord blood and toenail tests, because the
county did not establish proper foundation for the testing.
- 844 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Specifically, Angela notes that the county did not establish a
chain of custody for the cord blood and toenail tests. We note,
as did the district court, that Angela does not argue that her
Sixth Amendment right to confrontation was violated with
regard to the admission of these test results.
[6-8] Where objects pass through several hands before being
produced in court, it is necessary to establish a complete chain
of evidence, tracing the possession of the object or article to
the final custodian; and if one link in the chain is missing,
the object may not be introduced in evidence.19 Objects which
relate to or explain the issues or form a part of a transaction are
admissible in evidence only when duly identified and shown to
be in substantially the same condition as at the time in issue.20
It must be shown to the satisfaction of the trial court that no
substantial change has taken place in an exhibit so as to render
it misleading.21 Important in determining the chain of custody
are the nature of the evidence, the circumstances surrounding
its preservation and custody, and the likelihood of intermed-
dlers tampering with the object.22 Whether there is sufficient
foundation to admit physical evidence is determined on a case-
by-case basis.23 Our review concerning the admissibility of
such evidence is for an abuse of discretion.24
With respect to the toenail test, Angela argues that while the
person who collected the sample and the director of the labora-
tory that did the testing both testified, there was no testimony
from the individual who actually conducted the test, and that
such is insufficient to show foundation for the admissibility of
the results. We disagree.
19
State v. Glazebrook, 282 Neb. 412, 803 N.W.2d 767 (2011).
20
Id.
21
Id.
22
Id.
23
Id.
24
See id.
- 845 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
The individual who collected the sample testified at the
hearing as to the procedures she followed when collecting the
toenail sample. That individual indicated that she packaged the
sample properly and mailed it to the testing laboratory. And
the director of that laboratory testified as to the procedures
followed at the laboratory, including the receipt of the sample
and its testing. Given this testimony, we cannot conclude that
the juvenile court abused its discretion in determining that “no
substantial change ha[d] taken place in an exhibit so as to ren-
der [the results] misleading”25 and in admitting the results.
There is no merit to Angela’s contentions regarding the toe-
nail testing.
With respect to the cord blood test, Angela contends that the
doctor who ordered the test testified, but no one testified to
the collection of the sample or to the test procedure itself. We
need not address this assertion, because even assuming that the
evidence establishing the chain of custody for the cord blood
was insufficient, the admissibility of those results, on these
facts, was not reversible error.
The cord blood test results were relevant to show that
Angela had used drugs, notably methamphetamine. Angela’s
hospital drug screen was positive, and she admitted to the use
of methamphetamine. As such, any error in admitting the posi-
tive cord blood test results was harmless.
Error in Adjudicating Kane.
Angela also assigns that the juvenile court erred in adjudi-
cating Kane. She contends that the county failed to show an
evidentiary nexus between the use of methamphetamine and a
risk of harm that would support adjudication.
To obtain jurisdiction over a juvenile at the adjudication
stage, the court’s only concern is whether the conditions in
which the juvenile presently finds himself or herself fit within
the asserted subsection of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247 (Reissue
25
See id. at 431, 803 N.W.2d at 783.
- 846 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
2016).26 Section 43-247(3)(a) outlines the basis for the juvenile
court’s jurisdiction and grants exclusive jurisdiction over any
juvenile “who lacks proper parental care by reason of the fault
or habits of his or her parent, guardian, or custodian.”
[9,10] The purpose of the adjudication phase is to protect
the interests of the child.27 The Nebraska Juvenile Code does
not require the separate juvenile court to wait until disaster has
befallen a minor child before the court may acquire jurisdic-
tion.28 While the State need not prove that the child has actu-
ally suffered physical harm, Nebraska case law is clear that at
a minimum, the State must establish that without intervention,
there is a definite risk of future harm.29 The State must prove
such allegations by a preponderance of the evidence.30
The results of Kane’s toenail testing show that Kane has
been environmentally exposed to methamphetamine. This sug-
gests that either Scott or Angela, or both, have used the
drug around Kane. Several witnesses specifically testified that
Scott’s and Angela’s use of methamphetamine was a safety
concern. This was sufficient to create the nexus that Angela
claims is missing.
The State has proved that Kane is a child under § 43-247(3)(a)
because of his parents’ methamphetamine use. This creates a
safety concern for Kane’s being in the family home and sug-
gests that Kane should be removed from parental placement
and custody until the situation is safe for Kane to return.
There is no merit to this assignment of error.
Error in Not Adjudicating Carter.
The county assigns, in its appeal from the juvenile court’s
failure to adjudicate Carter, that it was error to not adjudicate
26
In re Interest of Justine J. et al., 286 Neb. 250, 835 N.W.2d 674 (2013).
27
Id.
28
Id.
29
Id.
30
See id.
- 847 -
Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets
299 Nebraska R eports
IN RE INTEREST OF KANE L. & CARTER L.
Cite as 299 Neb. 834
Carter, because he was exposed to the same threat of present
harm as Kane.
It is true, as the juvenile court noted, that Carter was in a
detention center during the events immediately leading up to
the adjudication in this case. But Carter returned shortly before
the children were removed from the home. The concern leading
up to that removal and later adjudication was that it was unsafe
for the children to be in the home at that time and into the
future. The fact that Carter was not in the home in the imme-
diate past has no bearing on whether he would be exposed to
harm in Scott and Angela’s care going forward.
We further note that there is testimony from law enforce-
ment at the hearings in these cases that Carter was placed
on probation in part because of positive drug screens of his
own. Given that the reason for adjudication is alleged to be
parental drug use, such testimony further supports Carter’s
adjudication.
The State must establish that without intervention, there is
a definite risk of future harm; on these facts as established by
the State, it has met that burden. We therefore conclude that
the juvenile court erred in not adjudicating Carter.
CONCLUSION
In case No. S-17-720, the decision of the juvenile court
adjudicating Kane is affirmed. In case No. S-17-775, the
decision not adjudicating Carter is reversed and the cause is
remanded for further proceedings.
Judgment in No. S-17-720 affirmed.
Judgment in No. S-17-775 reversed, and cause
remanded for further proceedings.