In re Interest of Ryder K. & Parker K.

── In re Interest of Ryder K. & Parker K. ── Court: Nebraska Court of Appeals Date: May 12, 2026 Category: General IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL (Memorandum Web Opinion) IN RE INTEREST OF RYDER K. & PARKER K. 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 RYDER K. & PARKER K., CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. STATE OF NEBRASKA, APPELLEE, V. LATESHA K., APPELLANT. Filed May 12, 2026. Nos. A-25-704, A-25-705. Appeals from the County Court for Hall County: ALFRED E. COREY III, Judge. Affirmed. John D. Icenogle, of Bruner Frank Schumacher Husak, L.L.C., for appellant. Anna M. Brokaw, Hall County Deputy County Attorney, for appellee. MOORE, PIRTLE, and WELCH, Judges. MOORE, Judge. I. INTRODUCTION Latesha K. appeals from two separate orders of the Hall County Court sitting as a juvenile court, terminating her parental rights to two of her children. We have consolidated the juvenile cases and upon our de novo review of the record, we affirm the juvenile court’s orders. II. STATEMENT OF FACTS Latesha is the mother of Ryder K., born in August 2020; and Parker K., born in November 2022. Latesha has additional children who are not at issue in this appeal. Paxton, born in September 2021, was removed with Parker, and Braxton was born during the pendency of this juvenile case in July 2024. Ryder and Parker have different fathers. Though the fathers’ parental rights were also terminated, they are not parties to this appeal and will be discussed only as necessary to the resolution of the current appeal by Latesha. -1-  1. PROCEDURAL HISTORY Ryder was removed from Latesha’s care in March 2023 after he was hospitalized due to symptoms relating to his childhood nephrotic syndrome. A petition was filed on March 29 to adjudicate Ryder pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(3)(a) (Reissue 2016). The petition alleged that Ryder had been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, which requires him to receive specific care to keep the condition in remission and prevent serious medical complications. The petition alleged that despite education and training opportunities, Latesha had not been able to clearly state the importance of his care and dietary restrictions, denied the importance of that care, and failed to follow the prescribed treatment. Latesha had also allegedly failed to properly administer Ryder’s necessary medication during his recent hospitalization. Parker was removed from Latesha’s care in July 2023 following a report that Latesha and her children were living in unsanitary conditions. A petition was filed on July 13 to adjudicate Parker and Paxton, pursuant to § 43-247(3)(a). The petition alleged that Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) caseworker Angela Brown had recently made an unannounced home visit to a hotel room that Latesha and her children were staying in. The petition alleged that Brown noted a pungent odor coming from the room and that the floor was littered with refuse. The petition alleged that it was challenging to walk around the hotel room due to the amount of excess trash and clothing on the floor, some of which appeared to have insects or feces in it. Latesha claimed to have bathed both Parker and Paxton recently, but Parker allegedly had dirt and crusted milk on his neck, which had caused a rash, and open sores due to a severe diaper rash. Paxton allegedly had matted hair and dirt all over his body. The petition alleged that the housing conditions were unsuitable for children, particularly for the ages of Parker and