Termination of Parental Rights in Nebraska

I live in Nebraska, where the age of majority is 19. I have lived with my girlfriend, who is currently 18 for 8 months, with her parents permission. They have recently forced her to return to their home against her will and have decided to disallow her from seeing me, and have threatened to make up charges to file a restraining order against me. I happen to know from talking to her that her parents and siblings verbally abuse her and threaten to send her to juvinile detention if she doesn't do exactly as they say, they also will not provide her with a bed to sleep on (she has to sleep on the floor or couch) and very little food to eat. She is only four months away from being 19, can she be legally separated from her parents, and when she is 19, will she be able to see me and live with me again?

[VG1013]

Originally posted by Nebr03
I live in Nebraska, where the age of majority is 19. I have lived with my girlfriend, who is currently 18 for 8 months, with her parents permission. They have recently forced her to return to their home against her will and have decided to disallow her from seeing me, and have threatened to make up charges to file a restraining order against me. I happen to know from talking to her that her parents and siblings verbally abuse her and threaten to send her to juvinile detention if she doesn't do exactly as they say, they also will not provide her with a bed to sleep on (she has to sleep on the floor or couch) and very little food to eat. She is only four months away from being 19, can she be legally separated from her parents, and when she is 19, will she be able to see me and live with me again?

If your friend feels she is being abused...verbally or otherwise, and feels she cannot live with her parents anymore, here are a few things she can do:

1) She can ask for family counseling or mediation service between her and her parents;
2) She can live with another responsible adult (aunt, uncle, grandparent, or family friend);
3) seek assistance from public and private agencies;

She can also contact one of these Health & Human Services Dept. for help:

Western
Nancy Montanez, CEO
1600 10th Street
P.O. Box 540
Gering, NE 69341
Phone: (308) 436-6579
Fax: (308) 436-6542

Central
Joan Albin, CEO
209 N. 5th Street
P.O. Box 339
Norfolk, NE 68702
Phone: (402) 370-3120
Fax: (402) 370-3497

Eastern
Tim Koehn, CEO
Gold's Building
1050 "N" Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 471-5334
Fax: (402) 471-5144

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required by law to investigate all reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. HHS and law enforcement work together on reports and law enforcement may also conduct an investigation. Due to the confidential and delicate nature of such situations, the person who reports an incidence of abuse cannot be informed of the action taken, or the result of the report. Also, once she reaches the age of 19, she may live with and be with anyone she wants without parental permission.