State v. Saint Joseph Center for Mental Health

This appeal arises from a dispute over a hospital bill. The Nebraska Department of Social Services (DSS) contests an order of the separate juvenile court of Douglas County, Nebraska, to pay for a preadjudication evaluation at a private hospital. Because the statutory reasons by which DSS might be held financially liable are not satisfied by the facts of this case, we reverse.

On August 29, 1994, the Douglas County Attorney filed a delinquency petition against Todd T., pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-247(2) (Reissue 1993), alleging that Todd was a juvenile who had committed an act that would…