Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library www.nebraska.gov/apps-courts-epub/ 12/02/2016 09:10 AM CST
- 213 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
In re A doption of Micah H., a minor child. Daniel H. and Linda H., appellants, v. Tyler R., appellee. ___ N.W.2d ___
Filed December 2, 2016. No. S-15-1080.
1. Judgments: Jurisdiction. A jurisdictional issue that does not involve a factual dispute presents a question of law. 2. Juvenile Courts: Appeal and Error. An appellate court reviews juve- nile cases de novo on the record and reaches its conclusions indepen- dently of the juvenile court’s findings. 3. Statutes: Appeal and Error. To the extent an appeal calls for statutory interpretation or presents questions of law, an appellate court must reach an independent conclusion irrespective of the determination made by the court below. 4. Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. Before reaching the legal issues presented for review, it is the duty of an appellate court to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the matter before it. 5. Jurisdiction: Final Orders: Appeal and Error. For an appellate court to acquire jurisdiction over an appeal, there must be a final order or final judgment entered by the court from which the appeal is taken. 6. Judgments: Final Orders: Words and Phrases. A judgment is the final determination of the rights of the parties in an action. 7. ____: ____: ____. A final judgment is one that disposes of the case either by dismissing it before a hearing is had upon the merits, or after trial by rendition of judgment for the plaintiff or defendant. 8. Indian Child Welfare Act: Federal Acts: Child Custody. The applica- bility of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 and the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act to a child custody proceeding turns not on the Indian status of the person who invoked the acts but on the status of the child involved in the proceeding. 9. Indian Child Welfare Act: Federal Acts: Parental Rights. To the extent that the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act provides a higher - 214 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
standard of protection to the rights of the parent or Indian custodian of an Indian child under the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act controls. 10. Indian Child Welfare Act: Parental Rights: Parent and Child. “Active efforts” must be made to unite the Indian child with both bio- logical parents, regardless of whether they are Indian.
Appeal from the County Court for Saunders County: Patrick R. McDermott, Judge. Reversed and remanded. John H. Sohl for appellants. Jennifer D. Joakim for appellee. Heavican, C.J., Wright, Miller-Lerman, Cassel, Stacy, K elch, and Funke, JJ. K elch, J. I. NATURE OF CASE This case presents the issue of whether the “active efforts” and “serious emotional or physical damage” elements of the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA)1 and the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act (NICWA)2 apply to provide increased protection to the parental rights of a non-Indian, noncustodial parent of an “Indian child.” II. FACTS Daniel H. and Linda H., the maternal grandparents and guardians of Micah H., a minor child, appeal the order of the Saunders County Court denying their petition to adopt Micah. In their petition, Daniel and Linda alleged, among other things, that the child’s mother (their daughter), Allison H., had consented to the adoption; that the father, Tyler R., had abandoned Micah; and that terminating Allison’s and Tyler’s parental rights was in Micah’s best interests. In Tyler’s answer, he alleged that Micah was an “Indian Child” pursuant to
1 25 U.S.C. §§ 1901 to 1963 (2012). 2 Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 43-1501 to 43-1516 (Reissue 2016). - 215 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
ICWA and NICWA. Because neither party disputed that Micah met the “Indian child” definition under both acts, the county court applied those acts, which provide heightened protection to the rights of parents and tribes in proceedings involving custody, termination of parental rights, and adoption of Indian children.3 After a hearing on Daniel and Linda’s petition, the county court found that it was compelled to deny the petition, because it was “unable to find beyond a reasonable doubt that [Tyler] has abandoned the child.”
1. Background Micah’s mother, Allison, was placed with Daniel and Linda when she was 4 years old. Allison is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Daniel and Linda are not members of an Indian tribe, but they took measures to help Allison understand her Indian heritage. At the hearing on the petition, Linda testi- fied that the family kept Native American artifacts in their home, read Native American books and literature to Allison, and took her to powwows and reservations. Linda also testi- fied that in her practice as a nurse, she underwent training to become “trans-culturally certified,” with a focus on Native American culture. When Allison was 17 years old, she first met Tyler. She had run away from home with a friend, and the two of them went to Tyler’s mother’s house. Allison testified that Tyler’s mother provided Allison with alcohol and that Tyler provided her with marijuana, which they smoked in the basement. Allison testified that Tyler’s mother was aware that the marijuana was being used. At some point that night, Tyler and Allison had sexual intercourse. As a result of that sexual contact, Micah was born in September 2007. After his birth, Allison and Micah lived in Daniel and Linda’s home. In June 2008, when Micah was 9 months old, the State ini- tiated an action against Tyler to establish paternity and child
3 See In re Adoption of Kenten H., 272 Neb. 846, 725 N.W.2d 548 (2007). - 216 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
support. Prior to that time, Tyler was not aware of Micah’s existence. On July 2, 2010, the county court entered a decree of paternity, custody, and child support. The decree granted Allison full legal and physical custody. It ordered Tyler to pay child support of $100 per month beginning August 1, 2010. The decree also awarded Tyler parenting time. Supervised visi- tation was to occur every other weekend, 1 to 2 weeks in the summer, and on alternating holidays.
(a) Tyler’s Visitation Linda testified that Tyler’s first visit with Micah occurred at her home in November 2008. She testified that until the county court awarded Tyler parenting time in 2010, Tyler vis- ited “more than once a year,” but not always more than once a month. After Tyler was awarded parenting time, he saw Micah every other week to every 3 weeks. Under the decree, Tyler’s visits with Micah were to be supervised by his mother or another suitable person approved by Allison. Tyler’s mother testified that the visits between Tyler and Micah were “great.” She stated that she observed a loving relationship between them and that Micah appeared to enjoy himself and look up to Tyler. Tyler also testified about his parenting time, naming various activities that he and Micah enjoyed together. According to Tyler, at some point, Daniel and Linda started denying him visits for no reason. Linda testified that the face-to-face visits ceased on May 8, 2011, for two reasons. There were concerns, first, that Tyler’s visits were not being supervised as ordered, and second, that inappropriate sexual behavior displayed by Micah was attrib- utable to Tyler. At some point, Allison’s attorney wrote Tyler a letter stating that Allison was restricting Tyler’s parenting time because of Micah’s inappropriate behaviors. On the issue of whether Tyler’s visits were being supervised, Linda testified that sometime in February 2011, Tyler came to Daniel and Linda’s house to pick Micah up for a visit, and his mother was not with him. When Allison saw that Tyler’s - 217 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
mother was not present, she told him that he could not take Micah. Linda testified that she had also suspected that the visits were sometimes unsupervised because Micah would talk about “being with Daddy Tyler downstairs” and going “up to the big house where [Tyler’s mother] was.” Tyler and his mother denied that the visits were ever unsupervised. As for Micah’s inappropriate sexual behavior, Linda stated she had observed that “when Micah would hug or kiss, he would say things like, ew-w, baby, baby and rub against.” Allison testified that Micah “took Buzz and Woody [dolls rep- resenting characters from a children’s movie] and talked about Buzz kissing his penis.” Daniel also testified about some of Micah’s questionable behavior. Daniel testified that he was supervising Micah’s bath one night. Because Micah is uncircumcised, Daniel reminded Micah that he needed to pull the foreskin back to clean him- self. Daniel testified that Micah said, “oh, this is how guys make white stuff come out of their penis,” and that Micah then started making a lot of movement on his penis. When Daniel asked Micah how he found out about that, Micah said, “from Daddy Tyler,” and “from movies.” At that time, Micah was 3 or 4 years old. Tyler’s testimony supports Linda’s claim that Tyler’s last face-to-face visit was May 8, 2011. He testified that prior to his incarceration in February 2012, he did not have face-to-face contact with Micah for what “could have been” a year or more. Linda testified that to her knowledge, Tyler did not request visitation with Micah after that time. Tyler, however, claims that at some point, he filed a contempt action in county court to allow visitation, and that the matter was pending. Tyler testified that while in prison, he wrote numerous let- ters to Micah addressed to Daniel and Linda’s residence and that he sometimes received a response. Tyler’s mother testified that Tyler had sent cards, drawings, and puzzles for Micah to her residence. - 218 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
(b) Child Support Tyler was unable to pay the full monthly child support obli- gation after he was imprisoned in February 2012 for motor vehicle homicide. While in prison, Tyler requested that the State withhold his prison income to satisfy his child support obligation. However, Tyler’s request was denied because his income was too low to qualify for withholding. The amount was also insufficient to cover the full child support obliga- tion. Tyler testified that he then sent his prison income to his mother, who supplemented the income with her own funds, to pay the child support obligation on Tyler’s behalf. The county court found that it was “the paternal grandmother, not the father, who pays the child support for the child.” Tyler’s child support payment history reflects that between July 1, 2008, and May 26, 2015, $7,517.20 had been paid and that Tyler owed $816.12.
(c) Daniel and Linda Appointed as Micah’s Guardians Allison has struggled with addiction since she was 15 years old. While she was in Daniel and Linda’s custody and control, they sought counseling for her. Allison also received alcohol and drug counseling and treatment prior to the hearing on Daniel and Linda’s petition. Although Allison had been sober for 7 months prior to the hearing, she relinquished her rights at the hearing. When asked why she wanted to do that, Allison stated, “Because I have struggled with alcohol on and off for the last 11 years of my life.” The evidence shows that Micah has spent the majority of his life residing with Daniel and Linda. Linda testified that Micah resided with her and Daniel from his birth in September 2007 to October 2008. From October 2008 to January 2009, Micah lived with Allison in an apartment, but had almost daily con- tact with Daniel and Linda. After that, Allison and Micah lived with Tyler at his mother’s residence for 7 to 10 days before moving back to Daniel and Linda’s house. After that, Allison - 219 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
and Micah moved back with Daniel and Linda and lived there until February 2011, at least “most of that time.” The evidence does not reflect where Micah lived from February to October 2011, but from November 2011 to the time of the hearing in June 2015, Micah resided with Daniel and Linda again. At that time, Allison had asked Daniel and Linda to care for Micah because she was struggling with addiction. In March 2012, Daniel and Linda took action to become joint guardians of Micah, and in April, they were appointed.
(d) Tyler’s Mother’s Visitation After the guardianship commenced in 2012, Daniel and Linda offered Tyler’s mother visitation with Micah. Tyler’s mother testified that while Micah was visiting her, she would call Tyler in prison and allow the two to talk. She testified that these telephonic visits ceased when Linda told her that Micah was not allowed to speak to Tyler. Linda testified that after visits with Tyler’s mother, Micah began to exhibit some anxious behavior that caused her con- cern. She said Micah would cry, tug on his clothing, and make some unusual and rapid hand movements under his chin. She said Micah would ask her and Daniel if he had to “go to that jail place to visit Daddy Tyler.” In response to these behav- iors, Daniel and Linda obtained a mental health evaluation for Micah with a child psychologist. Tyler’s mother testified that she had not taken Micah to visit Tyler in prison. In late 2013, after Tyler’s mother filed for grandparent visi- tation, Daniel and Linda stopped allowing Micah to visit her at her house.
2. Hearing on A doption Petition On September 10, 2014, Daniel and Linda filed a complaint for termination of parental rights and a petition to adopt Micah in Saunders County Court. Daniel and Linda served a copy of their complaint on Allison, Tyler, and the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, as required by the notice provisions of - 220 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
ICWA and NICWA.4 Allison consented to the adoption, and the tribe did not intervene. However, on October 24, 2014, Tyler filed an answer and objection to the petition for adoption. In his answer, Tyler alleged that Micah is an “Indian Child” pursuant to ICWA and NICWA and that Daniel and Linda had failed to plead or otherwise satisfy the requirements of those acts. Those require- ments will be discussed at length within the analysis section of this opinion. The hearing on Daniel and Linda’s petition was held on June 4, 2015. Among other things, evidence related to Tyler’s fitness as a parent was introduced, including evidence of Tyler’s history of drug and alcohol abuse and Tyler’s criminal record. Allison testified that Tyler had used alcohol, mari- juana, and cocaine in her presence; that he had used illegal substances in her presence during the 7 to 10 days that she and Micah resided with Tyler; and that Tyler had been involved in drug deals involving marijuana and cocaine. Allison also testified that Tyler had confided in her that he had once given cocaine to a female at a party who later died from a drug overdose. Tyler has had numerous drug-related and alcohol-related charges and convictions. In 2006, he was convicted of being a minor in possession. In 2008, he was convicted of driv- ing under the influence (DUI) and of two separate charges of being a minor in possession. In 2010, he was convicted of driving under suspension, possession of marijuana (more than an ounce but less than a pound), and attempted assault on a police office. He was also charged with DUI, which was later amended to willful reckless driving. In 2012, Tyler was again charged with DUI, but that charge was later amended to motor vehicle homicide. As a result of his 2012 conviction, Tyler was incarcerated in the Nebraska State Penitentiary, where he continues to serve his sentence. Tyler will not
4 See 25 U.S.C. § 1912(a) and § 43-1505(1). - 221 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
be eligible for parole until 2019, when Micah will be 12 years old. Tyler testified that while in prison, he has attended an Alcoholics Anonymous program, “Asatrú” religious programs, and language programs. At the time of the hearing, Tyler was employed in the prison’s kitchen and earned approximately $87 per month. After the hearing, the county court denied Daniel and Linda’s petition. Applying ICWA, the court concluded, “By nearly any other standard[,] the court would not hesitate to grant adoption but under the unique requirements of ICWA and the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Court is compelled to deny the petition.” The county court found, “While [Tyler] is certainly not a fit parent at this time, the court is unable to find beyond a reasonable doubt that he has abandoned the child.” Daniel and Linda now appeal. III. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR Daniel and Linda assign (1) that the county court erred in finding that ICWA applied at the request of Tyler, a non- Indian, and (2) that the county court erred in applying a higher burden of proof to the abandonment element and finding that Daniel and Linda failed to show that Tyler had aban- doned Micah. IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW [1] A jurisdictional issue that does not involve a factual dis- pute presents a question of law.5 [2] An appellate court reviews juvenile cases de novo on the record and reaches its conclusions independently of the juve- nile court’s findings.6 [3] To the extent an appeal calls for statutory interpretation or presents questions of law, an appellate court must reach an
5 In re Adoption of Madysen S. et al., 293 Neb. 646, 879 N.W.2d 34 (2016). 6 In re Interest of Jorge O., 280 Neb. 411, 786 N.W.2d 343 (2010). - 222 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
independent conclusion irrespective of the determination made by the court below.7 V. ANALYSIS 1. Jurisdiction [4-7] Before reaching the legal issues presented for review, it is the duty of an appellate court to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the matter before it.8 For an appellate court to acquire jurisdiction over an appeal, there must be a final order or final judgment entered by the court from which the appeal is taken.9 A judgment is the final determination of the rights of the parties in an action.10 We have said that a final judgment is one that disposes of the case either by dismissing it before a hearing is had upon the merits, or after trial by rendition of judgment for the plaintiff or defendant.11 Conversely, every direction of a court or judge, made or entered in writing and not included in a judgment, is an order.12 The final judgment in proceedings under an adoption petition is an order granting or denying adoption.13 Here, unlike in In re Adoption of Madysen S. et al.,14 the county judge, even though the hearing had been bifurcated, denied the entire adoption petition filed by Daniel and Linda. Therefore, we have jurisdiction to proceed. 2. A pplicability of ICWA and NICWA Generally stated, the substantive portions of ICWA and the corresponding provisions of NICWA provide heightened
7 Id. 8 In re Adoption of Madysen S. et al., supra note 5. 9 Id. 10 Id. 11 Id. 12 Id. 13 Id. 14 Id. - 223 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
protection to the rights of parents and tribes in proceedings involving custody, termination of parental rights, and adop- tion of Indian children.15 ICWA was enacted by Congress in 1978 to protect the best interests of Indian children and to pro- mote the stability and security of Indian tribes and fami- lies by the establishment of minimum Federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and the placement of such children in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian cul- ture, and by providing for assistance to Indian tribes in the operation of child and family service programs.16 In 1985, NICWA was enacted “to clarify state policies and pro- cedures regarding the implementation by the State of Nebraska of [ICWA].”17 In the present case, Daniel and Linda argue that the county court erred in finding that ICWA applied when invoked by a non-Indian father; they argue that “[o]nly an Indian Tribe or parental Indian member of an Indian family may invoke those statutory protections.”18 Daniel and Linda do not offer any authority directly supporting these assertions, but argue that the purpose of ICWA is not served by applying it to protect the rights of a non-Indian father. [8] We note that the plain language of ICWA and NICWA does not provide for any exclusion when raised by a non- Indian parent. In fact, under NICWA, “[p]arent means any biological parent or parents of an Indian child or any Indian person who has lawfully adopted an Indian child, including adoptions under tribal law or custom.”19 Rather, the applicabil- ity of ICWA and NICWA to an adoption proceeding turns not
15 See In re Adoption of Kenten H., supra note 3. 16 25 U.S.C. § 1902. 17 § 43-1502. 18 Brief for appellants at 9. 19 § 43-1503(14). - 224 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
on the Indian status of the person who invoked the acts but on whether an “Indian child” is involved.20 Here, there was no dispute that Micah meets the statutory definition of an “Indian child.” Accordingly, the county court correctly found that ICWA and NICWA applied, but it did not determine whether certain provisions of ICWA and NICWA applied to Tyler. Although we find that ICWA and NICWA apply to this adoption proceeding, this is not to say that every provision of ICWA and NICWA applies to a non-Indian parent. As we shall discuss later, certain provisions of ICWA or NICWA may not be applicable to a non-Indian parent. 3. A bandonment In its application of NICWA, the county court found that it was compelled to deny the adoption petition, because “the court [was] unable to find beyond a reasonable doubt that [Tyler] has abandoned the child.” However, NICWA does not require the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard for the aban- donment element. For a court to grant an adoption petition, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-104(1) (Reissue 2016) requires that, unless the adoption falls within one of the exceptions set forth in § 43-104(2), the biological parents of the child must execute written consent to the adoption. Here, Tyler has not consented, but Daniel and Linda seek to establish an exception, i.e., that under § 43-104(2)(b), Tyler has “abandoned the child for at least six months next preceding the filing of the adoption petition.” In addition to the requirements under the adoption statutes, NICWA adds two elements to adoption proceedings involving Indian children. One of those elements requires a determination
20 See §§ 43-1504 and 43-1505. See, also, In re Adoption of Kenten H., supra note 3, 272 Neb. at 853, 725 N.W.2d at 554 (“[a]pplicability of these protective statutes depends on whether the proceedings involve an ‘Indian child’”); In re Interest of J.L.M. et al., 234 Neb. 381, 396, 451 N.W.2d 377, 387 (1990) (“[f]or application of the Indian Child Welfare Act to proceedings for termination of parental rights, the proceedings must involve an Indian child within the purview of the act”). - 225 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
to be made “beyond a reasonable doubt.”21 However, abandon- ment in adoption proceedings need only be proved by clear and convincing evidence.22 Only the “serious emotional or physical damage” element imposed by NICWA must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.23 Because the county court applied the incorrect burden of proof to the abandonment element, we must remand the cause for further proceedings and for a redetermination applying the correct standard. However, we first discuss the two additional elements imposed by NICWA, because issues involving those elements may recur on remand. An appellate court may, at its discretion, discuss issues unnecessary to the disposition of an appeal where those issues are likely to recur during fur- ther proceedings.24 4. Active Efforts First, § 43-1505(4) and its federal counterpart, 25 U.S.C. § 1912(d), set forth an “active efforts” element. We discuss both federal and state statutes. The federal statute provides: Any party seeking to effect a foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child under State law shall satisfy the court that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful.25 This statute was interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl.26 In Baby Girl, the adoptive
21 See § 43-1505(6). 22 See In re Application of S.R.S. and M.B.S., 225 Neb. 759, 408 N.W.2d 272 (1987). 23 See In re Interest of Walter W., 274 Neb. 859, 744 N.W.2d 55 (2008). 24 Fitzgerald v. Community Redevelopment Corp., 283 Neb. 428, 811 N.W.2d 178 (2012). 25 25 U.S.C. § 1912(d). 26 Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, ___ U.S. ___, 133 S. Ct. 2552, 186 L. Ed. 2d 729 (2013). - 226 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
parents of a young Indian girl petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for certiorari after a South Carolina court interpreted provisions of the federal act to require that the girl be removed from her adoptive parents’ care and placed with her biologi- cal father. Her father, a member of the Cherokee Nation, had previously attempted to relinquish custody, and the child had never met him. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed, interpreting the “active efforts” provision of ICWA to apply “only in cases where an Indian family’s ‘breakup’ would be precipitated by the termination of the parent’s rights.”27 Because the Indian father in Baby Girl had never had custody of (or even met) the Indian child, the court determined that there was no Indian family to break up.28 Therefore, the court concluded that the “‘active efforts’” element did not apply to the termination of the Indian father’s parental rights.29 [9] Applying the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the “active efforts” element, the “breakup” of an Indian family would not be precipitated by the termination of Tyler’s parental rights, because Tyler has never been part of an “Indian fam- ily” to break up. Thus, ICWA’s “active efforts” element and the corresponding part of NICWA’s “active efforts” element are not applicable. However, this does not end our discussion of whether NICWA’s “active efforts” provision applies to the termination of Tyler’s parental rights, because the Legislature amended NICWA after Baby Girl.30 To the extent that NICWA provides a higher standard of protection to the rights of the parent or Indian custodian of an Indian child under ICWA, NICWA controls.31 The amended version of § 43-1505(4) provides, in rel- evant part:
27 Id., 133 S. Ct. at 2562. 28 Id. 29 Id. 30 See 25 U.S.C. § 1921 and § 43-1503(1). 31 25 U.S.C. § 1921. - 227 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
Any party seeking to effect a foster care placement of, or termination of parental rights to, an Indian child under state law shall satisfy the court that active efforts have been made to provide remedial services and reha- bilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family or unite the parent or Indian custo- dian with the Indian child and that these efforts have proved unsuccessful. (Emphasis supplied.) [10] The Nebraska statute is almost identical to the federal statute, except it adds that “active efforts” must be made “to unite the parent . . . with the Indian child.”32 Again, pursuant to NICWA, “[p]arent means any biological parent or parents of an Indian child or any Indian person who has lawfully adopted an Indian child, including adoptions under tribal law or custom.”33 As a result, “active efforts” must be made to unite the Indian child with both biological parents, regard- less of whether they are Indian. But the amended version of § 43-1505(4) also provides: “Prior to the court ordering . . . the termination of parental rights, the court shall make a determi- nation . . . that the party seeking placement or termination has demonstrated that attempts were made to provide active efforts to the extent possible under the circumstances.” (Emphasis supplied.) Therefore, the county court should review active efforts in light of the particular circumstance presented in this case. Here, the county judge did not make any findings on the issue of “active efforts.” In fact, the court found that Daniel and Linda were not required to show active efforts had been made to unite Tyler and Micah. Therefore, on remand, the court must reopen the record, and, in addition to applying the correct standard to the issue of abandonment, determine whether “active efforts” have been made or whether attempts
32 See § 43-1505(4). 33 § 43-1503(14). - 228 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
were made to provide active efforts to the extent possible under the circumstances.34 5. Serious Emotional or Physical Damage We now discuss the second additional element that ICWA and NICWA impose on parties seeking to terminate the paren- tal rights of an Indian child, i.e., the “serious emotional or physical damage” element. The federal statute, 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f), provides: No termination of parental rights may be ordered in such proceeding in the absence of a determination, sup- ported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including testimony of qualified expert witnesses, that the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. Similarly, § 43-1505(6) provides: The court shall not order termination of parental rights under this section in the absence of a determination, sup- ported by evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including testimony of qualified expert witnesses, that the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. In Baby Girl, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the “‘seri- ous emotional or physical damage’” element does not apply to parents who never had custody of the Indian child, reason- ing that the words “‘continued custody’” within the statute refer to custody that the parent already has (or at least had at some point in the past).35 Because the Indian father in Baby Girl never had custody of the Indian child, the Supreme Court determined that the “‘serious emotional or physical damage’”
34 See § 43-1505(4). 35 Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl, supra note 26, 133 S. Ct. at 2560. - 229 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
element did not apply to him.36 In the present case, Daniel and Linda argue that because Tyler never had custody of Micah, Daniel and Linda need not prove the “serious emotional or physical damage” element. On the other hand, Tyler argues that Baby Girl is limited to the particular facts of that case, which involved a father who did not have any contact with the child prior to the termina- tion proceedings. Tyler argues that this case is distinguish- able from Baby Girl, because he has visitation rights and “has paid his child support regularly, even while in custody at the State Penitentiary.”37 Indeed, Tyler does have visita- tion rights, but even assuming that the rule from Baby Girl is limited to the facts presented in that case, having the right of parenting time does little to distinguish this case from Baby Girl if the parent fails to exercise that right. Thus, we need to further examine Tyler’s rights in the context of his actual parenting time. The evidence supports that prior to his incarceration, Tyler did not have any contact with Micah for approximately 1 year. Since the birth of Micah in 2007, Tyler has lived with Micah for a mere 7 to 10 days. Tyler’s visits with Micah were, by court order, to be supervised, and the record does not reflect that Tyler ever sought unsupervised or increased visitation. Further, Tyler never had custody, and there is no evidence that Tyler ever sought custody. Moreover, even if Tyler’s rights are not terminated in this proceeding, Tyler will not be eligible to obtain custody of Micah until at least 2019, when he is eligible for parole and Micah is 12 years old. Micah should not be in limbo for years to come.38 Micah has two loving family members who have essentially raised him from birth, and there is no evidence that this situ- ation is not in his best interests. The law provides procedural
36 See id. 37 Brief for appellee at 13. 38 See In re Interest of Levey, 211 Neb. 66, 317 N.W.2d 760 (1982). - 230 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 295 Nebraska R eports IN RE ADOPTION OF MICAH H. Cite as 295 Neb. 213
safeguards to protect parental rights to the utmost,39 but the parent must, in return, make reasonable efforts to be a parent. Unfortunately, as the county judge noted, Tyler’s record of fatherhood is minimal. Further, we agree with the county court that “it is the paternal grandmother, not the father, who pays the child support for the child.” After reviewing the evidence, we conclude that this case is not distinguishable from Baby Girl. Therefore, because Tyler never had custody of Micah, the “serious emotional or physi- cal damage” element does not apply to him. Accordingly, on remand, the county court need not consider whether Daniel and Linda satisfied this element. VI. CONCLUSION The county court erred in applying the “beyond a reason- able doubt” standard to the abandonment element and also in finding that Daniel and Linda were not required to show active efforts had been made to unite Tyler and Micah. We therefore reverse, and remand with directions to allow the parties to sub- mit additional evidence in further proceedings consistent with this opinion. R eversed and remanded.
39 See In re Interest of Ty M. & Devon M., 265 Neb. 150, 655 N.W.2d 672 (2003).