A-25-0873, In re Interest of Armani T. , State v. Brianna C. (Appellant)
Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County, Judge Mary M.Z. Stevens
Attorney for Appellant: Kory L. Quandt (Bressman, Hoffman, Jacobs & Quandt)
Attorney for Appellee: Jordan Klein (Douglas County Attorney’s Office)
Juvenile Action: adjudication under Neb. Rev. Stat. 43-247(3)(a) (Cum. Supp. 2024), admission of hearsay statements
Action taken by the Trial Court: The State filed a juvenile petition alleging Brianna’s minor child was a juvenile within the meaning of § 43-247(3)(a) based on allegations of the mother’s inappropriate physical discipline of the child. The child was placed in the temporary custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services with placement outside of the mother’s home. During the adjudication hearing, the trial court received evidence of hearsay statements the child made during a forensic interview at a child advocacy center. Following the hearing, the court entered an order finding sufficient evidence to adjudicate the child under § 43-247(3)(a).
Assignments of Error on Appeal: Did the trial court err in admitting hearsay statements the child made during the forensic interview? Did the trial court err in finding sufficient evidence that the child was at risk for harm and came within the meaning of § 43 247(3)(a) due to the mother’s faults or habits.