(AP) — The Nebraska Supreme Court says state laws regarding notification in child welfare cases are constitutional, but has ruled that a biological father who pays child support must be notified of any action to place his child in foster care.
The case stems from a 2008 lawsuit filed by Michael Eggleston against the state. Eggleston said state employees violated his rights when they failed inform him that his 3-year-old had been taken into protective custody after her mother attempted suicide. Eggleston said the state had his contact information, because he faithfully paid child support.
The ruling Friday reversed a lower court’s finding that the state’s notification laws are unconstitutional because they don’t require the state to notify a noncustodial parent when a child has been taken into emergency protective custody.