In Interest of Hochstetler

The principal issue presented by this appeal is whether, as articulated by the juvenile court judge, the State may interfere in the relationship between a mother and her children by virtue of the former’s eccentricity. The courts below have answered affirmatively. We conclude otherwise. We therefore reverse the judgment of the District Court which affirmed placement of custody by the juvenile court in the Nebraska Department of Public Welfare, with physical possession of the children in a foster home, and order the case dismissed.

In its third amended petition the State sought to terminate the…